Primary and secondary 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates. Characterization with1H NMR spectroscopy, reactions with iodide and bromide ion, and thermal decomposition in solution

Abstract

A series of 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates has been made in which the alkyl group is primary (1a-1p) and secondary (2a-2g). Preparations were carried out by reaction of the corresponding alkanol with thianthrene cation radical perchlorate in CH₂Cl₂solution followed by precipitation of the perchlorate salt with dry ether.¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals that the presence of a stereogenic center in the alkyl group causes inequivalence in the ordinarily paired protons (e.g., H-4, H-6) of the thianthrenium ring. Reaction of iodide and bromide ion with primary alkyl-group compounds (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl) gave the alkyl halide in very good yield and by a second-order kinetic displacement. The second product was thianthrene 5-oxide (ThO). Rate constants for some of these reactions are reported. Reaction of secondary alkyl group compounds (e.g., 2-propyl, 2-pentyl, 2-hexyl, and 3-hexyl) with iodide ion gave good yields of alkyl iodide but also increasing evidence for a side reaction at the sulfonium sulfur, leading to I₂, thianthrene, and secondary alkanol. Decomposition of some compounds at 100°C in solution (acetonitrile or 1,2-dichloroethane) was studied and gave alkene(s) and ThO.Key words: thianthrene cation radical, 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates.