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The irradiation of ( Z )-2-phenyl-4-aryliden-5(4 H )-thiazolones 2 with blue light (465 nm) in CH 2 Cl 2 solution promotes [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition of the exocyclic C=C bonds and the formation of the dispirocyclobutanes 3 . This reaction takes place with high stereoselectivity, given that the ε-isomer (1,3 head-to-tail syn coupling) is formed in more than 90% yield in most of the cases. However, irradiation of 5(4 H )-thiazolones 2 with blue light (456 nm) in dry MeOH in the presence of BF 3 ·OEt 2 leads to the monospirocyclobutanes 4 with full stereoselectivity, also affording the ε-isomer. A ring-opening reaction of only one of the thiazolone rings appears to have taken place in 4 upon methanolysis, leading to the corresponding ester and thioamide groups. The treatment of free 4-aryliden-5(4 H )-thiazolones 2 with a base in alcohol (NaOR/ROH) also produces a ring-opening reaction of the heterocycle by methanolysis, although, under these reaction conditions, further intramolecular S-attack at the exocyclic C(H)=C bond and cyclization is observed, forming the dihydrothiazoles 5 or 6 as mixtures of cis ( RS / SR )- and trans ( RR / SS )-isomers with high diastereomeric excess. trans -( RR/SS )-Dihydrothiazoles 6 can be isolated as pure diastereoisomers by column chromatography. Surprisingly, dihydrothiazoles 5 can also be obtained by the treatment of 4-aryliden-5(4 H )-thiazolones 2 with BF 3 ·OEt 2 in methanol in the absence of a base.

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