In order to evaluate the relative importance of the neighboring group participation by the phenylthio group, the acetolysis of tosylates la-e has been studied. The results obtained confirmed that the participation decreases with the increasing ring size of the intermediate cyclic sulfonium salts 2 in the order S-3> S-5> S-6. Among these salts only 2c and 2d were isolated, while the formation of 2b and 2e was indirectly demonstrated by the obtainment ...
