Orientation and mechanism of reactions of aromatic amines with sulfur monochloride

The reaction of m-substituted anilines with sulfur monochloride has been studied. It has been shown that cyclization with the formation of 1, 3, 2-benzothiazathiolium compounds takes place in the position para to the substituent. The introduction of methoxy groups into o-nitroanilines interferes with the displacement of the nitro group by the chlorine atom. A nucleophilic reaction mechanism has been proposed according to which the nitro group is displaced after the formation of the thiathioniaazine ring.