Synthesis and photooxygenation of 2-thiofuran derivatives:: a mild and direct access to O,S-dimethyl and O-methyl-S-phenyl thiomaleates

New 3-bromo-2-thio and 3-bromo-2,5-bis-(thio) furan derivatives have been synthesized and their synthetic potential has been assessed by their conversion into O,S-dimethyl and O-methyl-S-phenyl thiomaleates via methylene blue sensitized photooxygenation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.