Synthesis and autoconversions of furanthiols and -selenols

Furanthiols and selenols have been synthesized by a modified procedure via organolithium derivatives, with the formation of trimethylsilyl ethers as intermediate products. It has been shown that the thiols as well as the selonols undergo autoconversions when standing in air and in the presence of triethylamine with the formation of furylthio-(seleno)-substituted thio-(seleno)-butyrolactones.