Radical reduction of cyclic xanthates: Formation of alkenes and/or 1,3-oxathiolanes from 1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones

AIBN-initiated radical reactions of 5-membered cyclic xanthates, 1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones, with tributyltin hydride are described. Alkenes are formed at 0.025 M concentration of tributyltin hydride, whereas a higher concentration (0.25 M) gives 1,3-oxathiolanes. A mixture of alkene and 1,3-oxathiolane is obtained by use of intermediate concentrations. Reactions of cis-and trans-4,5-dialkyl-1,3-oxathiolane-2-thiones with tributyltin hydride afford E-alkenes stereoselectively. For an application of this alkene formation reaction, geraniol has been converted to linalool silyl ether in good yield.