Synthesis, structure, and first reactions of a new class of thiacyclophanes

Abstract

In our effort to prepare [m.n]cyclophanes carrying functional groups in their molecular bridges, the thiacyclophanes 14, 19, 20, and 21 have been prepared by simple routes from the pseudo-gem dibromide 10a and the corresponding bis-thiol 10b. The triply-bridged bis-thia-cyclophanes 14, and 19-21 were characterized by their spectroscopic data as well as by X-ray structural analyses. The meta-isomer 20 was oxidized to the bis-sulfone 23, which on flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) yielded a product mixture presumably containing the hydrocarbon 26 with a cleaved molecular bridge. Subjecting 23 to Ramberg-Bäcklund conditions (CCl4, NaOH, phase transfer catalysis) provided the chloride 24 in poor yield (9%), a [2.2]paracyclophane in which the new molecular bridge is fully conjugated.