Abstract The preparation and Grob-like fragmentation of several phenyl substituted 2-oxo-1, 3, 2-dioxathianes (trimethylene sulfites) have been examined. Preparation of the 4, 4, 6- triphenyl derivatives gives a chair S= O equatorial isomer which fragments readily in polar solvents to produce benzaldehyde and 1, 1-diphenylethylene. Isomerization to an unreactive twist boat isomer occurs as a minor reaction in solution and in the solid state on ...
