Carbene reactions. Part 16. Thermolyses of norbornadiene-7-spiro-2′-(1′,3′-dithiolane)S-oxides

The gas-phase thermolysis of the norbornadienespirodithiolane S-oxides (5) and (7) led to benzene, ethylene, and carbon disulphide as the major products, possibly involving carbon disulphide oxides as intermediates. Thermolyses of the related sulphones (9) or (14) led to completely different product patterns.