Substrate-Controlled Domino Reactions of Crotonate-Derived Sulfur Ylides: Synthesis of Benzothiophene Derivatives

Substrate-controlled domino reactions between thioaurones or their analogues and crotonate-derived sulfur ylides were developed and produced a broad spectrum of benzothiophene-fused pyran derivatives, substituted chromene derivatives. In these reactions, crotonate-derived sulfur ylides acting as two-carbon synthons (α and β carbons or β and γ carbons) in annulation reactions are reported for the first time. These investigations nicely complement and expand previously studied reactions of crotonate-derived sulfur ylides. In addition, reaction mechanisms for these domino reactions are proposed, one of which is supported by DFT calculations.