Separate Deprotonation Reactions Converge Mechanistically for a New Cyclization of Benzyl 1-Alkynyl Sulfones

A heretofore unknown LDA-induced conversion of benzyl 1-alkynyl sulfones to 1H-2-benzothiopyran-S,S-dioxides is demonstrated. A benzyl carbanion, accessible by two means, is thought to cyclize by temporary disruption of aromaticity. Key intermediates are observed by ReactIR analysis. Thiophene derivatives are also amenable to cyclization, forming 7H-thieno[2,3-c]thiopyran-S,S-dioxides.