An S-oxide of 6-tert-butyl-6-phenylpentathiane. Structure in the crystalline state and in solution and thermal decomposition

Oxidation of 6-tert-butyl-6-phenylpentathiane with trifluoroperacetic acid gave the pentathiane 3-oxide mainly as the monooxide. The 3-oxide takes a twist conformation both in the crystalline state and in solution. Thermal decomposition of the 3-oxide in the presence of 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene yielded both S2O- and S2-transferred products.