2-(Phenylthio)alkanenitriles, homoallyl sulfides, and thioacetals were obtained in good yields by the reaction of alkenyl sulfides with the corresponding silyl nucleophiles via thionium ion intermediates.
dimethylhydrazones 1 (R2=H) and derived from linear aliphatic aldehydes, has led to α-phenylselanyl hydrazones 2. α-Phenylselanyl nitriles 3 were, however, isolated when an excess of base and of PhSeX (X=Cl, Br) were used. Hydrazones 1 bearing an α-alkyl substituent (R2≠H) gave also nitriles 3. SAMP-hydrazones 4 showed the same reactivity and the corresponding nitriles 3 were obtained in a racemic form. The use of