Primary and secondary 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates. Characterization with 1H NMR spectroscopy, reactions with iodide and bromide ion, and thermal decomposition in solution

A series of 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates has been made in which the alkyl group is primary (1a-1p) and secondary (2a-2g). Preparations were carried out by reaction of the corresponding alkanol with thianthrene cation radical perchlorate in CH2Cl2 solution followed by precipitation of the perchlorate salt with dry ether. 1H NMR spectroscopy reveals that the presence of a stereogenic center in the alkyl group causes inequivalence in the ordinarily paired protons (e.g., H-4, H-6) of the thianthrenium ring. Reaction of iodide and bromide ion with primary alkyl-group compounds (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl) gave the alkyl halide in very good yield and by a second-order kinetic displacement. The second product was thianthrene 5-oxide (ThO). Rate constants for some of these reactions are reported. Reaction of secondary alkyl group compounds (e.g., 2-propyl, 2-pentyl, 2-hexyl, and 3-hexyl) with iodide ion gave good yields of alkyl iodide but also increasing evidence for a side reaction at the sulfonium sulfur, leading to I2, thianthrene, and secondary alkanol. Decomposition of some compounds at 100°C in solution (acetonitrile or 1,2-dichloroethane) was studied and gave alkene(s) and ThO.Key words: thianthrene cation radical, 5-(alkyloxy)thianthrenium perchlorates.