| Abstract: | The sulfoxide thermolysis of the diastereoisomeric methyl (3R,4aS,10aR)‐6‐methoxy‐1‐methyl‐3‐(phenylsulfinyl)‐1,2,3,4,4a,5,10,10a‐octahydrobenzog]quinoline‐3‐carboxylates 3a and 3′b in toluene yields, by loss of benzenesulfenic acid, an almost 1 : 1 mixture of the vinylogous urethane 2b and the isomeric α‐aminomethyl enoate 2a . When this elimination is performed in acetic acid, the enoate 2a is formed rather selectively. The same solvent effects on the regioselectivity of the elimination of benzenesulfenic acid are observed with a simple sulfoxide of ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate ( 7 ). |
