Abstract: The preparation of thietanes by pyrolysis of the sodium salt of 1-thiocyanato-3- hydroxypropanes is described. Stereochemistry of fragmentation of the sulfone (induced by pyrolysis) and sulfonium salts (induced by organolithium treatment) to cyclopropanes has been investigated. Both show net crossover, ie, cis-2, 4-dimethyl derivatives producing mainly trans-l, 2-dimethylcyclopropane and trans-2, 4-dimethyl derivatives producing ...
