Introduction of cyclic dithioacetal functions into activated methylene compounds by treatment with 2-alkoxy-1,3-benzodithioles

Abstract

2-Alkoxy-1,3-benzodithioles reacted with a wide variety of active methylene compounds in acetic acid to give products in which the 1,3-benzodithiol-2-yl group had been introduced at the activated carbon atom. In the reactions with malononitrile, methyl cyanoacetate, cyanoacetamide, and rhodanine, products with two 1,3-benzodithiol-2-yl substituents at the activated carbon atom were obtained in excellent yields.