ChemInform Abstract: Reactions of Sulfoxides with Magnesium Amides. Transformation of Sulfoxides into Sulfides, Dithioacetals, and Vinyl Sulfides

The reactions of sulfoxides with magnesium amides generated in situ from the reaction of ethylmagnesium bromide and secondary amines, such as diisopropylamine (DIPA) or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP) in diethyl ether, were examined. Diaryl sulfoxides were heated with the diisopropylaminomagnesium reagent in diethyl ether to give the corresponding diaryl sulfides in 42—52% yields. Sulfoxides bearing hydrogens at the α-positon only (RSOCH2R1) reacted with the tetramethylpiperidinomagnesium reagent at room temperature to produce the corresponding dithioacetals (RSCHR1SR) in 47—86% yields. The treatment of sulfoxides bearing hydrogens both at the α- and β-positions (RSOCHR1CHR2R3) with the magnesium amides at room temperature afforded the corresponding vinyl sulfides (RSCR1=CR2R3) in 52—72% yields accompanying 2.3—27% yields of the corresponding dithioacetals. The pathways leading to the products involving the formation of the sulfur-stabilized carbonium ion intermediates are discussed.