PREPARATION AND REACTIONS OF BENZOFURANO-3-SULFOLENES, INDOLO-3-SULFOLENES, AND BENZOTHIENO-3-SULFOLENES

Benzofurano-, N-tosylindolo-, and benzothieno-3-sulfolenes have been p repared efficiently via their dihydro analogues. These fused 3-sulfole nes serve as ideal precursors for the corresponding heteroaromatic o-q uinodimethanes. Derivatives of these 3-sulfolenes bearing bromo or alk yl group substitution from which substituted heteroaromatic o-quinodim ethanes are generated have also been synthesized.