The title compound 3 and 4-[(2-cyanoethyl)sulfanyl]morpholine-3,5-dion
e 12 are both conveniently prepared in good yield from 2-cyanoethyl di
sulfide. which itself is readily prepared in one step from S-(2-cyanoe
thyl)isothiouronium chloride 4. In the same way, dimethyl and diphenyl
disulfides are convened into 2-methylsulfanyl- and 2-phenylsulfanyl-1
H-isoindole 1,3-(2H)-diones 8a and 8b, respectively, also in good yiel
ds. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.