Synthesis and anti-fungal properties of some simple cyclopentenones and derivatives

1-Methylsulphenyl-2-phenylsulphenylethyne has been shown to be a precursor for either α-sulphenyl ketone or α-methylene ketone moieties in cyclopentenoids produced via [3+2] cycloaddition of an allyl cation. One of these ketones, the α-sulphenyl cyclopentenone 5, has been found to display potency against a range of fungi in vitro but its close analogues are largely inactive.