The angular benzobisthietes 3 and 5 could be prepared by synthetic sequence
s in which the final step was in both cases a twofold dehydration of the co
rresponding bis(hydroxymethyl)dimercaptobenzenes 10 and 14, respectively. F
lash vacuum pyrolysis conditions were used for the generation and isolation
of 3 and 5 which are highly reactive bisdiene systems. Cycloaddition react
ions with the dienophiles 15 and 18a,b led to the adducts 16, 17, and 19a,b
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