Synthesis of 4,6-dimethyl-tetrahydro- and hexahydro-dibenzothiophene

2-Bromo-3-methylcyclohexanone was synthesized by conjugate addition of trimethylaluminium to 2-bromo-2-cyclohexen-1-one with copper bromide as catalyst, coupled with 2-methylthiophenol and annulated with the aid of polyphosphoric acid to 4,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrodibenzothiophene. The latter was hydrogenated to 4,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9b-hexahydrodibenzothiophene, another intermediate in the hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, by zinc and trifluoroacetic acid, and dehydrogenated to 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene.