Selectivity in cycloadditions—X : Regiochemistry of cycloadditions of nitrile oxides to thiophene and benzothiophene 1,1-dioxides

Thiophene-1,1-dioxide undergoes regioselective cycloaddition to benzonitrile oxide. In the reaction with the less reactive mesitonitrile oxide the sulfur dioxide deriving from the dimerization of the dipolarophile causes a catalytic decomposition of the nitrile oxide, which competes with the cycloaddition. Benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide and the vinyl sulfone system of 2,3-dihydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide and nitrile oxides with lower regioselectivity. The directing effect of the sulfonyl group has been elucidated with the aid of CNDO/2 calculations.