gem-Dialkylthio vinylallenes: alkylthio-regulated reactivity and application in the divergent synthesis of pyrroles and thiophenes

Chem Commun (Camb). 2012 Sep 11;48(70):8802-4. doi: 10.1039/c2cc33857b. Epub 2012 Jul 26.

Abstract

gem-Dialkylthio vinylallenes were obtained for the first time and applied to the divergent synthesis of fully-substituted pyrroles and thiophenes by domino cyclizations. These two cyclization pathways were regulated by alkylthio groups. Plausible reaction mechanisms were presented and supported by DFT calculations. An unprecedented metal-free carbothiolation was discovered in the formation of thiophenes.