title: Synthesis and chemistry of 4,5-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-one--a heteroindoxyl.
abstract: Flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of 2-acetyl-3-azidothiophene gives 3-methylthieno[3,2-c]isoxazole as the major product at a furnace temperature of 350 degrees C whereas at temperatures above 550 degrees C the new heteroindoxyl 4,5-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-one is exclusively formed. The heteroindoxyl exists predominantly as the keto tautomer. It is O-protonated by TFA, N-acetylated by acetic anhydride, N-nitrosated by nitrous acid, and provides an N-methylene Meldrum's acid derivative on treatment with methoxymethylene Meldrum's acid. Reactions of 4,5-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-one with diazonium salts, with isatin, and with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate take place at the methylene position to provide a hydrazone, an indirubin analogue, and a succinate derivative, respectively. Oxidation of 4,5-dihydrothieno[3,2-b]pyrrol-6-one gives a heteroindigotin, which shows a hypsochromic shift in the UV spectrum, relative to indigotin itself.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alexander P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gaywood
authors.forename: Hamish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McNab