Flow pyrolysis of 2-methyl-2-propyl 1‘-propenyl sulfoxide
(9b) affords a 98:2 mixture of (Z)- and
(E)-propanethial S-oxide ((Z)- and
(E)-5b), both characterized by Fourier transform
microwave (FT-MW) spectroscopy.
Sulfines (Z)- and (E)-5b are also
identified by FT-MW in chopped onion volatiles and by NMR spectroscopy
in
onion extracts. Similarly, flow pyrolysis of 2-methyl-2-propyl
vinyl sulfoxide (9c) affords (Z)- and
(E)-isomers of
ethanethial S-oxide (5a), identified by FT-MW
methods. Pyrolysis in the presence of D2O affords
(Z)-5a-d
1 and
(Z)-5a-d
2 from
9c and
(Z)-5b-d
1 from
9b; (Z)-5b-d
1
is also produced when an onion is homogenized in D2O.
Pyrolysis
of 9c with ethyl propiolate gives ethyl
(E)-3-(vinylsulfinyl)acrylate (10).
Neat 5a at 100 °C gives acetaldehyde.
On
standing, 5b dimerizes to
trans-3,4-diethyl-1,2-dithietane 1,1-dioxide
(12a);
Me3SiCHS+−O-
(5f) undergoes an
analogous dimerization. Compound 5b shows moderate
potency as an anticarcinogen in inducing the enzyme
quinone
reductase.