Dithiolane-Directed Tandem Oxidation/1,2-Benzyl Migration of Tetramic Acids under Ambient Conditions.

Reactions directly involving triplet oxygen are an important issue in organic and biological chemistry. We now report that exposure of tetramic acids in the open air (molecular oxygen) at room temperature can lead to the formation of succinimide derivatives in high to excellent yields via tandem oxidation/1,2-benzyl migration. In this reaction, the dithiolane moiety plays a crucial role and succinimides are produced either in the presence or absence of dibutyl sulfide as reductant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]