[2+4] vs [4+2] Cycloaddition reactions of o-thioquinones with 1,3-dienes

Under kinetic control, the reaction of o-thioquinones with acyclic 1,3-dienes afforded, as main products, the spiro cycloadducts deriving from the participation of the thiones as dienophiles. Under thermodynamic control, or with cyclic dienes, the thioquinones behave as hetero dienes to give the benzoxathiin derivatives with complete regioselectivity.