The reaction between 1-phenylsulphenyl-2-phenylethyne and p-toluenesulfonic
acid in methylene chloride gives (Z)-1-(phenylsulphenyl)-2-phenylethenyl p
-toluenesulfonate (1) in good yields. This reaction is both a regio- and a
stereospecific cis addition, confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis
of the title compound. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n
with the lattice parameters a = 10.556(3), b = 9.730(3), c = 19.687(3) Ang
strom, beta = 105.05(2)degrees, V = 1952.7(8) Angstrom(3), and Z = 4. The r
esults of elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy are included.