Ring-contraction from benzo[b][1,4]thiazines to benzo[d]thiazolines induced by oxygen

An unexpected ring-contraction from benzo[b]pyrazino[1,2-d][1,4]thiazine-1,4-diones (6) to benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-diones (7) has been developed. The preliminary mechanistic studies showed the transformation contained two independent steps: the first step is the formation of a Michael adduct upon the addition of the protic solvent, in the presence of base, to the C-2-C-3 double bond of compound 6, and the second step is a ring-contraction induced by oxygen via the migration of sulfur atom from C-2 to C-3 position. And its scope is also studied.