Abstract
The reactions of possible spiro-λ4-sulfane precursor diaryl sulfoxides with dehydrating agents have been studied resulting in the formation of cyclic anhydride, spiro-λ4-sulfane, cyclic sulfonium-ylide, lactam-sulfoxide, cyclic sulfonimide and cyclic sulfilimine type of intermediates or products. The structures of the intermediates or products depend on the functional groups attached to the aryl rings at ortho positions and on the reaction conditions applied.