Bond cleavage reactions in substituted thiophenes by a rhodium complex

Abstract The reactions of (C 5 Me 5 )Rh(PMe 3 )(Ph)H with 2-methoxythiophene, 3-methoxythiophene, 2-cyanothiophene, 3-cyanothiophene, 2-trimethylsilylthiophene, ethylenesulfide, trimethylenesulfide, and several polymethylthiophenes have been investigated. These thiophene derivatives give C–S and in one case C–H insertion products. Ethylene sulfide and trimethylene sulfide undergo ring opening or desulfurization.