The stereochemistry of organometallic compounds. XXXIX. Hydroformylation of alkenes containing sulfur and oxygen substituents: A potential route to 1, 4-dialdehydes

Rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of a series of unsaturated thioethers, dithians, dioxans and dioxolans has been shown to give aldehydes in very good yield. The regioselectivity in some cases appears to be influenced by coordination between the rhodium catalyst and the sulfur substituent especially when dodecacarbonyltetrarhodium is used as the catalyst precursor. At tempts to convert dithian and dioxan aldehydes into 1, 4-dialdehydes were unsuccessful.