gem-Dialkylthio vinylallenes were obtained for the first time and applied to the divergent synthesis of fully-substituted pyrroles and thiophenes by domino cyclizations. These two cyclization pathways were regulated by alkylthio groups. Plausible reaction mechanisms were presented and supported by DFT calculations. An unprecedented metal-free carbothiolation was discovered in the formation of thiophenes
DFT investigations are carried out to improve the domino cyclization between gem-dialkylthio vinylallenes and benzylamine. Economic reaction approaches were explored, namely, this reaction can occur under organic solvent-free conditions either catalyzed by trace water or self-catalyzed by BnNH2. Three types of reactions (DMSO-assisted, trace water-catalyzed, and self-catalyzed by BnNH2) shared the