Sequential intermediates in the base-catalyzed conversion of bis(pi-conjugated propargyl) sulfones to 1,3-dihydrobenzo- and naphtho[c]thiophene-2,2-dioxides.

[reaction: see text] In a recent article, we reported on the base-catalyzed rearrangements of dipropargyl selenides, -sulfides, -sulfoxides, and -sulfones that eventually lead to polycyclic aromatic products. In the present work, we report on the first isolation and characterization of the thiophene dioxide intermediates 5b,c from a mild tandem isomerization/cyclization/aromatization of bis(pi-conjugated propargyl) sulfones. Monoallene 2b,c and diallene 3b intermediates were also identified by NMR. A kinetic study of the rearrangement of 1a-c revealed that the unusual facile tandem process is highly dependent on the nature of gamma-substitution.