The Diels-Alder Reaction of 2,3-Disulfur-Substituted 1,3-Butadienes

The 2,3-disulfur-substituted 1,3-dienes (1) can be readily prepared from their stable 3-sulfolene precursors (2) by thermal extrusion of SO₂. The Diels-Alder reaction of diene (1) with several dienophiles has been studied. The substituent effect on the reactivity and regioselectivity follows the order of PhS >PhSO >PhSO₂. Lewis acid can greatly increase the regioselectivity of this reaction. The diene (1c), bearing a strong electron-withdrawing sulfonyl group, also reacted as a dienophile.