The hydrolysis of 1,3-dithianes to their parent carbonyl compounds
via their corresponding monosulfoxides was systematically investigated.
The oxidation of the 1,3-dithianes was carried out in high yields
using tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis
of the monosulfoxides to the carbonyl compounds was then performed
in excellent yields. The cleavage reactions were monitored by gas
chromatography and kinetics were investigated on substrates varying
in electron density and steric requirements. Neither effect prevented
high overall yields in the cleavage reaction.
1,3-dithianes - dithioacetals - 1,3-dithiane-1-oxides - cleavage - dethioacetalization