Activation and Facile Dealkylation of Monooxides of 1,8-Bis(alkylthio)naphthalene and 2,2′-Bis(alkylthio)biphenyl with Triflic Anhydride via Dithiadications

Abstract

Dithiadications bearing 1,8-bis(alkylthio)naphthalene 2A(a-e) and 2,2′-bis(alkylthio)biphenyl 2B(a-e) structure undergo either the facile deprotonation from the methyl group or dealkylation from the methylene groups by the triflate anion. Dications 2A(a) and 2B(a) having methyl groups were deprotonated readily to afford cyclic sulfonium salts 3A(a) and 3B(a). However, dithiadications 2A(b-e) and 2B(b-e) having ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and benzyl groups were readily dealkylated even at -45°C to give thiasulfonium salts 4A(b-e) and 4B(b-e) and alkyl triflates 5(a-e) in good yields. The intermediary formation of dithiadications 2A(a-e) and 2B(a-e) were confirmed by direct observation using NMR spectroscopy, D-labelled experiments and trapping experiments.

KEY WORDS:

• DEPROTONATION
• DEALKYLATION OF DITHIADICATIONS