Functionalization of methylsulfanylmethylene Meldrum's acid (2,2-dimet
hyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione) with aryl or thienyl substituents, to give
5-[(p-tert-butylphenyl)(methylsulfanyl)methylene] -2,2-dimethyl-1,3-di
oxane-4,6-dione, C18H22O4S, and fanyl)(2-thienyl)methylene]-1,3-dioxan
e-4,6-dione, C12H12O4S2, results in a lengthening of the C-S single bo
nd and the adoption of essentially a boat conformation by the Meldrum'
s acid heterocycle.