Synthetic utilization of polynitroaromatic compounds. 1. S-derivatization of 1-substituted 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenes with thiols.

Reactions of 1-R-2,4,6-trinitrobenenes (R = alkyl, protected aldehyde, aminocarbonyl, cyano groups, or isoxazole ring) with thiol salts were investigated. In most cases, these reactions gave a mixture of minor para and major ortho substitution products. Reactions of N,N-disubstituted 2,4,6-trinitrobenzamides with S-,O-, and N-nucleophiles afforded products of substitution of the p-nitro group exclusively. 1-Cyano-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene was found to be the most reactive and the least selective: all three nitro groups can be substituted using an excess of thiol salts. 2-R-4, 6-dinitrobenzamides showed no regioselectivity under similar conditions to yield 1:1 mixtures of para and ortho isomers.