Highly Z-selective synthesis of 1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidenes and 4-methylene-oxazolidine-2-thiones via atom-specific 5-exo-dig cyclization of propargyl alcohol with isothiocyanate

DBU mediated 5-exo-dig cyclization of isothiocyanate and propargyl alcohol leading to valuable heterocyclic compounds has been accomplished. The different modes of nucleophilicity (either S-selective or N-selective) of isothiocyanates were found to depend on the substitution pattern of propargyl alcohol. The terminal propargyl alcohol and isothiocyanate underwent an N-nucleophilic attack to afford 3-substituted 4-methylene oxazolidine-2-thiones. In contrast, exclusive S-nucleophilic cyclization was observed with internal propargyl alcohol to produce (Z)-1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidenes and (Z)-N-(Z)-4-ethylidene-1,3-oxathiolan-2-ylidenes from secondary and primary propargyl alcohols, respectively. The formation of high Z-selectivity in the imine motif and alkene is the highlight of this new method as multiple selectivities over C[double bond, length as m-dash]N and C[double bond, length as m-dash]C in a single system are synthetically highly challenging. The Z-selectivity in imine and alkene may be attributed to electronic and steric factors respectively.