Mechanism of electrochemical reduction of 5-thio derivatives of 2(5H)-furanone

The anionoid elimination of the substituent from position 5 of the lactone ring is the predominant pathway of electrochemical reduction of 5-arylsulfanyl- and 5-arylsulfonyl-3,4-dichloro-2(5H)-furanones in acetonitrile. The contribution of the competing elimination of the chloride ion increases on going to 3,4-dichloro-5-ethylsulfanyl-2(5H)-furanone. An experimental criterion based on the morphology of cyclic voltammograms was proposed for identification of a particular pathway of electroreduction of 2(5H)-furanone derivatives.