Reaction of Phosphorus Pentasulfide with Organolithiums. An<i>In Situ</i>Reagent for the Preparation of Thiolactams

Abstract

Phosphorus pentasulfide reacts under mild conditions with four equivalents of n-butyllithium, methyllithium or phenyllithium giving solutions in tetrahydrofuran. The new reagents in situ convert lactams to thiolactams and show significant selectivity in the type of reactive lactams.