Abstract
The reaction of 1,2-di(1-adamantyl)-2-thioxoethanone (4c) with diazomethane and 2-diazopropane yielded 2-acylthiiranes 6a and 6b, respectively, and no 1,3-oxathioles of type 7 were formed. The reaction course is explained via [2+3]-cycloaddition, elimination of N2, and 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization of the intermediate acylsubstituted thiocarbonyl ylides of type 1. The failure of the competitive 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization is a result of the sterically unfavorable conformation of 1a.