Trisulfur Radical Anion (S₃^•–) Involved [1 + 2 + 2] and [1 + 3 + 1] Cycloaddition with Aromatic Alkynes: Synthesis of Tetraphenylthiophene and 2-Benzylidenetetrahydrothiophene Derivatives

Abstract

S₃^•--mediated [1 + 2 + 2] and [1 + 3 + 1] cycloaddition reactions of aromatic alkynes to give tetraphenylthiophene and 2-benzylidenetetrahydrothiophene derivatives via two C-S bond formations are developed. These two protocols provide new, simple, and straightforward strategies to construct tetraphenylthiophene and 2-benzylidenetetrahydrothiophene derivatives under transition-metal-free conditions. This study also expands the application of S₃^•- in organic reactions.