THE CHEMISTRY OF ELECTRON DEFICIENT SULFIDES

This research has been directed at the study of facilitated oxidation of aliphatic sulfides by neighboring group participation. Mesocyclic polythioether and 2-substituted 6-methylthiobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives have been examined as model compounds for biological redox reactions. The preparations, structural analogues, and oxidation studies of such compounds have been investigated. A new technique has been developed for the preparation of mesocyclic polythioethers. Conformational analysis, both gas phase and solid state, and quantum mechanical analysis of one- and two-electron oxidation of mesocyclic polythioethers have been undertaken. Crystal and molecular structures of some transition metal complexes of 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, as well as a number of 2-substituted 6-methylthiobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives have been determined using single crystal X-ray techniques. Stereoselective oxidation of 2-endo-(hydroxymethyl)-6- endo(methylthio)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane has been achieved leading to both corresponding diastereomeric sulfoxides