Heterohomoconjugation versus heterobicycloconjugation in 9-thiabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-triene

The bridged heterocycles, 9-thiabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (3), 9-thiabicyclo[4.2.1]non-7-ene (4), 9-thiabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4-diene (5) and 9-thiabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4,7-triene (2), were examined by photoelectron spectroscopy and the various MO levels theoretically located in each case by CNDO/S calculation. The combined information is best interpretable in terms of localized π interaction between sulfur and ethylene but not butadiene. The conclusion therefore is that thiabicyclotriene 2 is not a heterobicycloconjugated molecule but rather one best described as heterohomoconjugated.