1,3-Dithiane is used in umpolung reactions such as the Corey-Seebach reaction. It acts as a reagent for the deoxygenation of sulfoxides to their corresponding sulfides. Further, it is used as a protecting group for carbonyl compounds used in organic synthesis. It serves as a useful labeled synthon. In addition to this, it is used in the preparation of 2-ethyl-[1,3]dithiane.
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Applications
1,3-Dithiane is used in umpolung reactions such as the Corey-Seebach reaction. It acts as a reagent for the deoxygenation of sulfoxides to their corresponding sulfides. Further, it is used as a protecting group for carbonyl compounds used in organic synthesis. It serves as a useful labeled synthon. In addition to this, it is used in the preparation of 2-ethyl-[1,3]dithiane.
Solubility
Soluble in benzene, ether, chloroform and terahydrofuran. Slightly soluble in water.
Notes
Hygroscopic. Incompatible with strong bases and strong oxidizing agents.
RUO – Research Use Only
The 2-lithio derivative, normally generated with n-BuLi, behaves as a formyl anion equivalent. It has been shown that the rigorous exclusion of atmospheric oxygen minimizes side reactions and is critical in obtaining optimum results in these lithiation procedures: J. Org. Chem., 60, 4258 (1995).
Monoalkylation of the 2-lithio-derivative and cleavage of the dithiane leads to an aldehyde. Successive dialkylation provides a route to ketones. For reviews of the reversal of the normal reactivity of groups, “umpolung”, see: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 18, 239 (1979), and of the umpolung of carbonyl activity through sulfur-containing reagents: Synthesis, 357 (1977). See also 1,3-Propanedithiol, A15261, 1,3-Dithiolane, L11914, and 1,2-Ethanedithiol, L12865.
For an example of successive acylation and alkylation of 1,3-dithiane, which can be carried out as a one-pot sequence, see: Synthesis, 625 (1980).
Reaction with 2-cyclohexenone proceeds via 1,2-addition. For details of this and subsequent cleavage and rearrangement, see: Org. Synth. Coll., 8, 309 (1993):