| Abstract: | Preparation and Reactions of Methylthiofurans By lithiation of 3,4-dimethoxyfuran, 2-methylfuran and furan, followed by reaction with dimethyldisulfide, the methylthiofurans 2, 8 , and 10 have been prepared. Reaction of 8 with maleic anhydride has yielded 6-methyl-3-(methylthio)phthalic anhydride ( 9 ), a yellow substance with a strong greenish fluorescence, obviously formed by elimination of H2O from an unstable cycloadduct. An analgous reaction of 2 resulted in an unexpected mixture from which the following yellow compounds were isolated: 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-6-(methylthio)phthalic anhydride ( 3 ), 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3,6-bis(methylthio)phthalic anhydride ( 4 ), and bis(S-methyl) (2Z,4E,6Z)-2,3,6,7-tetramethoxy-4,5-bis(methylthio)-2,4,6-octatrienethioate ( 5 ). Compound 5 is also formed on standing of 2 at RT. Mild acid hydrolysis of 2 results in ring-opening accompanied by an intramolecular oxido-reduction to yield S-methyl(3Z)-3-methoxy-4-(methylthio)-2-oxo-3-butenethioate ( 6a ). The structures of compounds 5 and 6a have been determined by X-ray analysis. |
