Thietane synthetic methods

Many [2 + 2] photocycloadditions have not been assigned a definitive mechanism, but they serve well as synthetic methods. Thiones add vinyl ethers to give thietanes in very good yields (Section 5.14.4.1.2), and interesting wavelength-stereochemistry relations were found in the photoaddition of 2-adamantanone to dicyanoethylene (Section 5.14.4.1.2). Diheterocyclobutanes can also be prepared by [2 + 2] photocycloadditions (Section 5.13.3.3). 

The preparation and investigation of the thietane oxide system (5a) is largely associated with stereochemical and conformational studies . The investigation of the thietane dioxides (5b) is substantially related to the chemistry of sulfenes , the [2 -I- 2] cycloaddition of which with enamines is probably the method of choice for the synthesis of 5b . The study of the thiete dioxide system (6) evolved, at least in part, from the recognition that the unstable thiete system 183 can be uniquely stabilized when the sulfur in the system is transformed into the corresponding sulfone , and that the thiete dioxide system is very useful in cycloadditions and thermolytic reactions. The main interest in the dithietane oxides and dioxides (7) appears to lie in the synthetic challenge associated with their preparation, as well as in their unique structural features and chemical behavior under thermolytic conditions . ... 

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