Fused 1,2,3-Dithiazoles: Convenient Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties

A new general protocol for synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles by the reaction of cyclic oximes with S2Cl2 and pyridine in acetonitrile has been developed. The target 1,2,3-dithiazoles fused with various carbocycles, such as indene, naphthalenone, cyclohexadienone, cyclopentadiene, and benzoannulene, were selectively obtained in low to high yields. In most cases, the hetero ring-closure was accompanied by chlorination of the carbocyclic moieties. With naphthalenone derivatives, a novel dithiazole rearrangement (15→13) featuring unexpected movement of the dithiazole ring from α- to β-position, with respect to keto group, was discovered. Molecular structure of 4-chloro-5H-naphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazol-5-one 13 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical properties of 13 were studied by cyclic voltammetry and a complex behavior was observed, most likely including hydrodechlorination at a low potential.


Introduction
1,2,3-Dithiazoles, the five membered sulfur-nitrogen heterocycles, are promising for science and technology because of their biological activity, unusual chemical transformations and interesting physical properties [1][2][3]. In particular it has been shown that the 1,2,3-dithiazole scaffold can be effectively used in the design and synthesis of stable neutral and negatively charged radicals (i.e., radical anions)-actual or potential building blocks for molecule-based conductive and/or magnetic functional materials [4][5][6][7]. One can imagine that continued exploration of the 1,2,3-dithiazole chemistry is guaranteed to yield new compounds of fundamental and/or applied significance.
Other synthetic precursors of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are cyclic oximes used in reactions with S 2 Cl 2 in the presence of organic bases such as N-ethyldiisopropylamine (Hünig's base) and triisobutylamine. The disadvantage of this method is that no general procedure is established and in all cases arduous purification of products by column chromatography is required [12][13][14][15].
During our ongoing work with S 2 Cl 2 we have found that the reaction conditions and nature of the organic base have a crucial role influencing the yields of the target sulfur-nitrogen heterocycles [16][17][18][19]. It was shown that many nitrogen organic bases, such as tertiary amines, for example 1,4-diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), interact with S 2 Cl 2 forming ionic complexes in some cases [17]. However, to the best of our knowledge, possible interaction/complexation between S 2 Cl 2 and such a strong nitrogen organic base such as pyridine has not been investigated.
In this paper we report a study of a reaction between cyclic oximes and S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine covering selective synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles together with their structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and investigation of their electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Syntheses
In an effort to improve the synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles, we re-investigated the reaction of 1-indanone oxime 1 with S 2 Cl 2 . Treatment of 1 with S 2 Cl 2 in dimethylformamide (DMF), i.e., a solvent which is frequently used in S 2 Cl 2 reactions [16,19], in the temperature range from´25 to 20˝C gave 8-chloroindeno[1,2-d]-1,2,3-dithiazole 2 in low yields. Note, that in this case the hetero ring-closure was accompanied by chlorination. The type of base used was important for the success of reactions with S 2 Cl 2 in other solvents, such as chloroform or acetonitrile (MeCN). Reaction of 1 with a two-fold excess of S 2 Cl 2 and DABCO in chloroform at´5˝C led to complex mixtures containing 2 in the yield of 35%. The best results were achieved by treating 1 with a three-fold excess of S 2 Cl 2 or a four-fold excess of pyridine in MeCN at 5˝C for 1 h which gave target 2 selectively in 81% yield (Scheme 1). The main feature of this and other S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine reactions is that the reaction mixtures are not tarry, and the product isolations do not require chromatography in contrast with the literature procedures [12][13][14][15]. Other synthetic precursors of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are cyclic oximes used in reactions with S2Cl2 in the presence of organic bases such as N-ethyldiisopropylamine (Hünig's base) and triisobutylamine. The disadvantage of this method is that no general procedure is established and in all cases arduous purification of products by column chromatography is required [12][13][14][15].
During our ongoing work with S2Cl2 we have found that the reaction conditions and nature of the organic base have a crucial role influencing the yields of the target sulfur-nitrogen heterocycles [16][17][18][19]. It was shown that many nitrogen organic bases, such as tertiary amines, for example 1,4-diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), interact with S2Cl2 forming ionic complexes in some cases [17]. However, to the best of our knowledge, possible interaction/complexation between S2Cl2 and such a strong nitrogen organic base such as pyridine has not been investigated.
In this paper we report a study of a reaction between cyclic oximes and S2Cl2/pyridine covering selective synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles together with their structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and investigation of their electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Syntheses
In an effort to improve the synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles, we re-investigated the reaction of 1-indanone oxime 1 with S2Cl2. Treatment of 1 with S2Cl2 in dimethylformamide (DMF), i.e., a solvent which is frequently used in S2Cl2 reactions [16,19], in the temperature range from −25 to 20 °C gave 8-chloroindeno[1,2-d]-1,2,3-dithiazole 2 in low yields. Note, that in this case the hetero ring-closure was accompanied by chlorination. The type of base used was important for the success of reactions with S2Cl2 in other solvents, such as chloroform or acetonitrile (MeCN). Reaction of 1 with a two-fold excess of S2Cl2 and DABCO in chloroform at −5 °C led to complex mixtures containing 2 in the yield of 35%. The best results were achieved by treating 1 with a three-fold excess of S2Cl2 or a four-fold excess of pyridine in MeCN at 5 °C for 1 h which gave target 2 selectively in 81% yield (Scheme 1). The main feature of this and other S2Cl2/pyridine reactions is that the reaction mixtures are not tarry, and the product isolations do not require chromatography in contrast with the literature procedures [12][13][14][15]. Under the same conditions, 3-phenylindanone oxime 3 gave the corresponding 1,2,3-dithiazole 4 even in a higher yield, meanwhile chlorination was not observed (Scheme 2). Scheme 2. Reaction of oxime 3 with S2Cl2/pyridine to give dithiazole 4. Scheme 1. Reaction of oxime 1 with S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine to give dithiazole 2.
Under the same conditions, 3-phenylindanone oxime 3 gave the corresponding 1,2,3-dithiazole 4 even in a higher yield, meanwhile chlorination was not observed (Scheme 2). Other synthetic precursors of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are cyclic oximes used in reactions with S2Cl2 in the presence of organic bases such as N-ethyldiisopropylamine (Hünig's base) and triisobutylamine. The disadvantage of this method is that no general procedure is established and in all cases arduous purification of products by column chromatography is required [12][13][14][15].
During our ongoing work with S2Cl2 we have found that the reaction conditions and nature of the organic base have a crucial role influencing the yields of the target sulfur-nitrogen heterocycles [16][17][18][19]. It was shown that many nitrogen organic bases, such as tertiary amines, for example 1,4-diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), interact with S2Cl2 forming ionic complexes in some cases [17]. However, to the best of our knowledge, possible interaction/complexation between S2Cl2 and such a strong nitrogen organic base such as pyridine has not been investigated.
In this paper we report a study of a reaction between cyclic oximes and S2Cl2/pyridine covering selective synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles together with their structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and investigation of their electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Syntheses
In an effort to improve the synthesis of fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles, we re-investigated the reaction of 1-indanone oxime 1 with S2Cl2. Treatment of 1 with S2Cl2 in dimethylformamide (DMF), i.e., a solvent which is frequently used in S2Cl2 reactions [16,19], in the temperature range from −25 to 20 °C gave 8-chloroindeno[1,2-d]-1,2,3-dithiazole 2 in low yields. Note, that in this case the hetero ring-closure was accompanied by chlorination. The type of base used was important for the success of reactions with S2Cl2 in other solvents, such as chloroform or acetonitrile (MeCN). Reaction of 1 with a two-fold excess of S2Cl2 and DABCO in chloroform at −5 °C led to complex mixtures containing 2 in the yield of 35%. The best results were achieved by treating 1 with a three-fold excess of S2Cl2 or a four-fold excess of pyridine in MeCN at 5 °C for 1 h which gave target 2 selectively in 81% yield (Scheme 1). The main feature of this and other S2Cl2/pyridine reactions is that the reaction mixtures are not tarry, and the product isolations do not require chromatography in contrast with the literature procedures [12][13][14][15]. Under the same conditions, 3-phenylindanone oxime 3 gave the corresponding 1,2,3-dithiazole 4 even in a higher yield, meanwhile chlorination was not observed (Scheme 2). Treatment of the archetypal cyclopentanone oxime 5a with an excess of S 2 Cl 2 (6 equiv) and pyridine (8 equiv) in boiling MeCN gave 4,5,6-trichlorocyclopenta-1,2,3-dithiazole 6a in moderate yield. Using lesser amounts of S 2 Cl 2 or/and pyridine in an attempt to obtain less chlorinated product failed since only 6a was isolated in lower yields. With a similar procedure, 4-carbethoxy substituted derivative 5b was converted into dichlorocyclopentadithiazole 6b in a good yield (Scheme 3). In both cases, the yields of dithiazoles 6 were slightly higher than those reported in the literature [12,15]. Treatment of the archetypal cyclopentanone oxime 5a with an excess of S2Cl2 (6 equiv) and pyridine (8 equiv) in boiling MeCN gave 4,5,6-trichlorocyclopenta-1,2,3-dithiazole 6a in moderate yield. Using lesser amounts of S2Cl2 or/and pyridine in an attempt to obtain less chlorinated product failed since only 6a was isolated in lower yields. With a similar procedure, 4-carbethoxy substituted derivative 5b was converted into dichlorocyclopentadithiazole 6b in a good yield (Scheme 3). In both cases, the yields of dithiazoles 6 were slightly higher than those reported in the literature [12,15]. In the previous study on six-membered oximes, p-benzoquinone monooxime 7 gave a complex mixture of products on reaction with S2Cl2 and the desired fused dithiazole was obtained in a low yield [13]. We have found that the treatment of 7 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN leads selectively to dichloro dithiazole 8 or to trichloro dithiazole 9 depending on the molar excess of the reagents. In boiling MeCN, reaction with a larger excess (S2Cl2, 6 equiv; pyridine, 8 equiv) gave 9, whereas with a smaller excess (S2Cl2, 3 equiv; pyridine, 4 equiv) 8, in both cases, however, in low yields (Scheme 4). Treatment of benzosuberone oxime 10 with S2Cl2/pyridine gave selectively 4,5,6-trichlorobenzo [6,7] cyclohepta[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazole 11 independent of the quantities of reagents; the best yield of 11 (61%) was obtained when 6 equiv of S2Cl2 and 8 equiv of pyridine were employed (Scheme 5). 1,4-Naphthoquinone oxime 12 treated with 3 equiv of S2Cl2 and 4 equiv of pyridine gave 4-chloro-5H-naphtho[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazol-5-one 13 in 74% yield (Scheme 6). The structure of 13 was confirmed by single-crystal XRD (Figure 1).
In the previous study on six-membered oximes, p-benzoquinone monooxime 7 gave a complex mixture of products on reaction with S 2 Cl 2 and the desired fused dithiazole was obtained in a low yield [13]. We have found that the treatment of 7 with S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine in MeCN leads selectively to dichloro dithiazole 8 or to trichloro dithiazole 9 depending on the molar excess of the reagents. In boiling MeCN, reaction with a larger excess (S 2 Cl 2 , 6 equiv; pyridine, 8 equiv) gave 9, whereas with a smaller excess (S 2 Cl 2 , 3 equiv; pyridine, 4 equiv) 8, in both cases, however, in low yields (Scheme 4). Treatment of the archetypal cyclopentanone oxime 5a with an excess of S2Cl2 (6 equiv) and pyridine (8 equiv) in boiling MeCN gave 4,5,6-trichlorocyclopenta-1,2,3-dithiazole 6a in moderate yield. Using lesser amounts of S2Cl2 or/and pyridine in an attempt to obtain less chlorinated product failed since only 6a was isolated in lower yields. With a similar procedure, 4-carbethoxy substituted derivative 5b was converted into dichlorocyclopentadithiazole 6b in a good yield (Scheme 3). In both cases, the yields of dithiazoles 6 were slightly higher than those reported in the literature [12,15]. In the previous study on six-membered oximes, p-benzoquinone monooxime 7 gave a complex mixture of products on reaction with S2Cl2 and the desired fused dithiazole was obtained in a low yield [13]. We have found that the treatment of 7 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN leads selectively to dichloro dithiazole 8 or to trichloro dithiazole 9 depending on the molar excess of the reagents. In boiling MeCN, reaction with a larger excess (S2Cl2, 6 equiv; pyridine, 8 equiv) gave 9, whereas with a smaller excess (S2Cl2, 3 equiv; pyridine, 4 equiv) 8, in both cases, however, in low yields (Scheme 4). Treatment of benzosuberone oxime 10 with S2Cl2/pyridine gave selectively 4,5,6-trichlorobenzo [6,7] cyclohepta[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazole 11 independent of the quantities of reagents; the best yield of 11 (61%) was obtained when 6 equiv of S2Cl2 and 8 equiv of pyridine were employed (Scheme 5). Treatment of benzosuberone oxime 10 with S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine gave selectively 4,5,6-trichlorobenzo [6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazole 11 independent of the quantities of reagents; the best yield of 11 (61%) was obtained when 6 equiv of S 2 Cl 2 and 8 equiv of pyridine were employed (Scheme 5). Treatment of the archetypal cyclopentanone oxime 5a with an excess of S2Cl2 (6 equiv) and pyridine (8 equiv) in boiling MeCN gave 4,5,6-trichlorocyclopenta-1,2,3-dithiazole 6a in moderate yield. Using lesser amounts of S2Cl2 or/and pyridine in an attempt to obtain less chlorinated product failed since only 6a was isolated in lower yields. With a similar procedure, 4-carbethoxy substituted derivative 5b was converted into dichlorocyclopentadithiazole 6b in a good yield (Scheme 3). In both cases, the yields of dithiazoles 6 were slightly higher than those reported in the literature [12,15]. In the previous study on six-membered oximes, p-benzoquinone monooxime 7 gave a complex mixture of products on reaction with S2Cl2 and the desired fused dithiazole was obtained in a low yield [13]. We have found that the treatment of 7 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN leads selectively to dichloro dithiazole 8 or to trichloro dithiazole 9 depending on the molar excess of the reagents. In boiling MeCN, reaction with a larger excess (S2Cl2, 6 equiv; pyridine, 8 equiv) gave 9, whereas with a smaller excess (S2Cl2, 3 equiv; pyridine, 4 equiv) 8, in both cases, however, in low yields (Scheme 4). Treatment of benzosuberone oxime 10 with S2Cl2/pyridine gave selectively 4,5,6-trichlorobenzo [6,7] cyclohepta[1,2-d][1,2,3]dithiazole 11 independent of the quantities of reagents; the best yield of 11 (61%) was obtained when 6 equiv of S2Cl2 and 8 equiv of pyridine were employed (Scheme 5).  The molecule is perfectly planar and the bond distances and angles correspond to the statistical means [20]. The crystal packing reveals shortened contacts S···O together with π-π and Cl-π interactions [21].
An unexpected result was obtained with naphthoquinone oxime 14, an isomer of oxime 12. Treatment of 14 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN gave a mixture of two isomeric chloronaphthodithiazolones 13 and 15 in comparable yields (Scheme 7). First of all, it was shown that 14 was an individual compound with no traces of its isomer 12. Special experiments on individual 13 and 15 showed that 15 converts into 13 when treated with S2Cl2/pyridine, whereas 13 remains unchanged. Effectively, the dithiazole ring moved from α-to β-position, with respect to the keto group, and the reaction under discussion represents a novel rearrangement. Earlier, similar processes were discovered by us for fused 1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepines [22][23][24]. Apparently, the mechanism of this rearrangement includes dithiazole ring-opening in 15 by the action of the chlorinating agent (i.e., S2Cl2) followed by the ring-closure to afford 13 (Scheme 7). The scope of this rearrangement is under consideration.  The molecule is perfectly planar and the bond distances and angles correspond to the statistical means [20]. The crystal packing reveals shortened contacts S···O together with π-π and Cl-π interactions [21].
An unexpected result was obtained with naphthoquinone oxime 14, an isomer of oxime 12. Treatment of 14 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN gave a mixture of two isomeric chloronaphthodithiazolones 13 and 15 in comparable yields (Scheme 7). First of all, it was shown that 14 was an individual compound with no traces of its isomer 12. Special experiments on individual 13 and 15 showed that 15 converts into 13 when treated with S2Cl2/pyridine, whereas 13 remains unchanged. Effectively, the dithiazole ring moved from α-to β-position, with respect to the keto group, and the reaction under discussion represents a novel rearrangement. Earlier, similar processes were discovered by us for fused 1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepines [22][23][24]. Apparently, the mechanism of this rearrangement includes dithiazole ring-opening in 15 by the action of the chlorinating agent (i.e., S2Cl2) followed by the ring-closure to afford 13 (Scheme 7). The scope of this rearrangement is under consideration.  The molecule is perfectly planar and the bond distances and angles correspond to the statistical means [20]. The crystal packing reveals shortened contacts S¨¨¨O together with π-π and Cl-π interactions [21].
An unexpected result was obtained with naphthoquinone oxime 14, an isomer of oxime 12. Treatment of 14 with S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine in MeCN gave a mixture of two isomeric chloronaphthodithiazolones 13 and 15 in comparable yields (Scheme 7). First of all, it was shown that 14 was an individual compound with no traces of its isomer 12. Special experiments on individual 13 and 15 showed that 15 converts into 13 when treated with S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine, whereas 13 remains unchanged. Effectively, the dithiazole ring moved from αto β-position, with respect to the keto group, and the reaction under discussion represents a novel rearrangement. Earlier, similar processes were discovered by us for fused 1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepines [22][23][24]. Apparently, the mechanism of this rearrangement includes dithiazole ring-opening in 15 by the action of the chlorinating agent (i.e., S 2 Cl 2 ) followed by the ring-closure to afford 13 (Scheme 7). The scope of this rearrangement is under consideration.  The molecule is perfectly planar and the bond distances and angles correspond to the statistical means [20]. The crystal packing reveals shortened contacts S···O together with π-π and Cl-π interactions [21].
An unexpected result was obtained with naphthoquinone oxime 14, an isomer of oxime 12. Treatment of 14 with S2Cl2/pyridine in MeCN gave a mixture of two isomeric chloronaphthodithiazolones 13 and 15 in comparable yields (Scheme 7). First of all, it was shown that 14 was an individual compound with no traces of its isomer 12. Special experiments on individual 13 and 15 showed that 15 converts into 13 when treated with S2Cl2/pyridine, whereas 13 remains unchanged. Effectively, the dithiazole ring moved from α-to β-position, with respect to the keto group, and the reaction under discussion represents a novel rearrangement. Earlier, similar processes were discovered by us for fused 1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepines [22][23][24]. Apparently, the mechanism of this rearrangement includes dithiazole ring-opening in 15 by the action of the chlorinating agent (i.e., S2Cl2) followed by the ring-closure to afford 13 (Scheme 7). The scope of this rearrangement is under consideration.

Electrochemical Reduction and Oxidation of Dithiazole 13
Recently, it was shown that benzo-fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are able to form persistent radical-anions (RAs) under conditions of electrochemical and chemical reduction and one of the RAs was isolated in the form of thermally-stable paramagnetic salts [6,7]. Amongst compounds synthesized in this work napthoquinone-fused derivatives 13 and 15 are especially interesting in the context of RAs since one may expect some concentration of a negative charge on the C=O moieties (ultimately leading to the C-O´bonding situation) enlarging their ability to coordinate metal cations. This might be a new approach to the design and synthesis of sulfur-nitrogen π-heterocyclic RA salts as potential building blocks of magnetic functional materials [25][26][27][28][29].
The electrochemical behavior of 13 was studied and found to be a very complex multistep process. Thus, the CV of 13 in MeCN (0 > E >´2.0 V) contains six irreversible peaks in the cathodic branch of the voltammogram. The additional quasi-reversible peaks 1c'´1a' and 2c'´2a' were observed in the second cycle at lower potentials than E 1C p (Figure 2).

Electrochemical Reduction and Oxidation of Dithiazole 13
Recently, it was shown that benzo-fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are able to form persistent radical-anions (RAs) under conditions of electrochemical and chemical reduction and one of the RAs was isolated in the form of thermally-stable paramagnetic salts [6,7]. Amongst compounds synthesized in this work napthoquinone-fused derivatives 13 and 15 are especially interesting in the context of RAs since one may expect some concentration of a negative charge on the C=O moieties (ultimately leading to the C-O − bonding situation) enlarging their ability to coordinate metal cations. This might be a new approach to the design and synthesis of sulfur-nitrogen π-heterocyclic RA salts as potential building blocks of magnetic functional materials [25][26][27][28][29].
The electrochemical behavior of 13 was studied and found to be a very complex multistep process. Thus, the CV of 13 in MeCN (0 > E > −2.0 V) contains six irreversible peaks in the cathodic branch of the voltammogram. The additional quasi-reversible peaks 1c'−1a' and 2c'−2a' were observed in the second cycle at lower potentials than E 1C p (Figure 2). With a limited potential sweep covering only reduction peaks 1C and 2C (0 > E >´1.2 V), peaks 1c'-1a' and 2c'-2a' did not vanish (Figure 3a). Moreover, further decrease in the potential sweep down to the range 0 > E >´0.88 V embracing only the first irreversible step of the reduction of 13 (Figure 3b) did not cause any qualitative change in the compound's CV. We conclude that both electrode processes 1c'-1a' and 2c'-2a' belong to the product(s) of transformation of 13 at the first step of its reduction, and their currents are kinetically controlled by the reactions at the peak 1C.

Electrochemical Reduction and Oxidation of Dithiazole 13
Recently, it was shown that benzo-fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles are able to form persistent radical-anions (RAs) under conditions of electrochemical and chemical reduction and one of the RAs was isolated in the form of thermally-stable paramagnetic salts [6,7]. Amongst compounds synthesized in this work napthoquinone-fused derivatives 13 and 15 are especially interesting in the context of RAs since one may expect some concentration of a negative charge on the C=O moieties (ultimately leading to the C-O − bonding situation) enlarging their ability to coordinate metal cations. This might be a new approach to the design and synthesis of sulfur-nitrogen π-heterocyclic RA salts as potential building blocks of magnetic functional materials [25][26][27][28][29].
The electrochemical behavior of 13 was studied and found to be a very complex multistep process. Thus, the CV of 13 in MeCN (0 > E > −2.0 V) contains six irreversible peaks in the cathodic branch of the voltammogram. The additional quasi-reversible peaks 1c'−1a' and 2c'−2a' were observed in the second cycle at lower potentials than E 1C p (Figure 2). With a limited potential sweep covering only reduction peaks 1C and 2C (0 > E > −1.2 V), peaks 1c'-1a' and 2c'-2a' did not vanish (Figure 3a). Moreover, further decrease in the potential sweep down to the range 0 > E > −0.88 V embracing only the first irreversible step of the reduction of 13 (Figure 3b) did not cause any qualitative change in the compound's CV. We conclude that both electrode processes 1c'-1a' and 2c'-2a' belong to the product(s) of transformation of 13 at the first step of its reduction, and their currents are kinetically controlled by the reactions at the peak 1C. The electrochemical reduction of 13 could be accompanied by its rapid irreversible dechlorination initiated by electron transfer (cf. [31]). Additionally, the bond C=N of the 1,2,3-dithiazole ring can undergo irreversible reduction in the RA state of a molecule, or the ring can be opened by the cleavage of S-S or/and S-N bonds (cf. [32]). However, it is impossible to assign, unambiguously, these processes to the peaks 1C or 2C. No long-lived paramagnetic products were observed by conventional EPR spectroscopy under stationary electrolysis of 13 in the range of potentials´0.8 > E >´1.8 V.
CV of 13 in oxidative area of potentials is characterized by the only irreversible peak 1A (Ox) at the potential E 1A(Ox) p = 1.53 V (Figure 4). An additional irreversible peak 2C (Ox) (E 2A(Ox) p = 0.85 V) corresponding to the reduction of oxidation products of 13 is observed in the cathode branch of the CV. The electrochemical reduction of 13 could be accompanied by its rapid irreversible dechlorination initiated by electron transfer (cf. [31]). Additionally, the bond C=N of the 1,2,3-dithiazole ring can undergo irreversible reduction in the RA state of a molecule, or the ring can be opened by the cleavage of S-S or/and S-N bonds (cf. [32]). However, it is impossible to assign, unambiguously, these processes to the peaks 1C or 2C. No long-lived paramagnetic products were observed by conventional EPR spectroscopy under stationary electrolysis of 13 in the range of potentials −0.8 > E > −1.8 V.
CV of 13 in oxidative area of potentials is characterized by the only irreversible peak 1A (Ox) at the potential E 1A(Ox) p = 1.53 V (Figure 4). An additional irreversible peak 2C (Ox) (E 2A(Ox) p = 0.85 V) corresponding to the reduction of oxidation products of 13 is observed in the cathode branch of the CV. Overall, the electrochemical behavior of 13 is characterized by a large number of multistage irreversible processes and their interpretation is a real challenge. Due to this complexity, at the current state of research only a qualitative description of the electrochemical behavior of 13 is possible. For further work preparative electrochemical reduction of 13 at controlled potentials is planned to obtain samples of reduction products enable their conventional characterization, together with generation of RAs from chlorine-less 1,2,3-dithiazoles such as 4 and related derivatives.

General Information
Elemental analyses for C, H, and N were performed with Perkin Elmer 2400 Elemental Analyser (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA). Melting points were determined on a Boetius hot-stage apparatus and are uncorrected. 1 H (300.1 MHz) and 13 C (75.5 MHz) NMR spectra were taken for CDCl3 solutions with a Bruker AM-300 (Bruker AXS Handheld Inc., Kennewick, WA, USA).
MS spectra (EI, 70 eV) were obtained with a Finnigan MAT INCOS 50 (Hazlet, NJ, USA), and high-resolution MS spectra with a Bruker micrOTOF II (Bruker Daltonik Gmbh, Bremen, Germany) instruments using electrospray ionization. The measurements were operated in a positive ion mode (interface capillary voltage −4500 V) or in a negative ion mode (3200 V); mass range was from m/z 50 to m/z 3000 Da; external or internal calibration was done with Electrospray Calibrant Solution (Fluka). A syringe injection was used for solutions in MeCN, methanol, or water (flow rate 3 µL·min −1 ). Nitrogen was applied as a drying gas; interface temperature was 180 °C.
IR spectra were measured with a Specord M-80 instrument (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) in KBr pellets.
Oximes 3 [33], 7 [34], 12 [35] and 14 [36] were prepared according to the published procedures.  Overall, the electrochemical behavior of 13 is characterized by a large number of multistage irreversible processes and their interpretation is a real challenge. Due to this complexity, at the current state of research only a qualitative description of the electrochemical behavior of 13 is possible. For further work preparative electrochemical reduction of 13 at controlled potentials is planned to obtain samples of reduction products enable their conventional characterization, together with generation of RAs from chlorine-less 1,2,3-dithiazoles such as 4 and related derivatives.

General Information
Elemental analyses for C, H, and N were performed with Perkin Elmer 2400 Elemental Analyser (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA , and high-resolution MS spectra with a Bruker micrOTOF II (Bruker Daltonik Gmbh, Bremen, Germany) instruments using electrospray ionization. The measurements were operated in a positive ion mode (interface capillary voltage´4500 V) or in a negative ion mode (3200 V); mass range was from m/z 50 to m/z 3000 Da; external or internal calibration was done with Electrospray Calibrant Solution (Fluka). A syringe injection was used for solutions in MeCN, methanol, or water (flow rate 3 µL¨min´1). Nitrogen was applied as a drying gas; interface temperature was 180˝C.
IR spectra were measured with a Specord M-80 instrument (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) in KBr pellets.

General Procedure for the Reaction of Cyclic Oximes with S 2 Cl 2 and Pyridine in Acetonitrile
At´25˝C and under argon, S 2 Cl 2 (0.24 mL, 3.0 mmol; or 0.48 mL, 6.0 mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of oxime (1.0 mmol) and pyridine (0.32 mL, 4.0 mmol; or 0.64 mL, 8.0 mmol) in dry MeCN (10 mL). The mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at´5-0˝C, for 24 h at ambient temperature, refluxed for 1 h, filtered and the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOH (20 mL), diluted by H 2 O (20 mL) and extracted with ether (3ˆ20 mL). Combined extracts were washed with H 2 O (20 mL), dried, and solvent was evaporated.
In the experiment with 13 under the same reaction conditions it was quantitatively recovered.

X-ray Diffraction
XRD data of 13 were obtained with a Bruker Kappa Apex II CCD diffractometer (Bruker AXS Gmbh, Karlsruhe, Germany) using ϕ, ω scans of narrow (0.5˝) frames with Mo Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073 Å) and a graphite monochromator. The structure of 13 was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares method against all F 2 in anisotropic approximation using the SHELX-97 (Bruker AXS, Madison, WI, USA) programs set [37]. The H atoms positions were calculated with the riding model. Absorption corrections were applied empirically using SADABS programs [38]. Shortened intermolecular contacts were analyzed using the PLATON [39] and MERCURY [40] programs.

Cyclic Voltammetry
The CV measurements on compound 13 (~1.2 mM solutions in MeCN) were performed with a PG 310 USB potentiostat (HEKA Elektronik, Germany) at 293 K in an argon atmosphere at a stationary Pt spherical electrode (S = 0.08 cm 2 ) with 0.1 M Et 4 NClO 4 as a supporting electrolyte. A standard electrochemical cell (solution volume was 5 mL) connected to the potentiostat with three-electrode scheme was used. Peak potentials were quoted with reference to a saturated calomel electrode (sce).

Conclusions
In this work, a new general procedure for the selective synthesis of carbocycle-fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles based on the reaction of cyclic oximes with S 2 Cl 2 and pyridine in MeCN was established. With naphthalenone derivatives, a novel dithiazole rearrangement was discovered, i.e., isomerization of 15 into 13. The structure of 1,2,3-dithiazole 13 was confirmed by single-crystal XRD.
In most cases the hetero ring-closure was accompanied by chlorination. The presence of chlorine atoms in the 1,2,3-dithiazoles synthesized most likely causes instability of their reduced forms. Particularly, under the CV conditions and with compound 13, we speculate that hydrodechlorination occurs at a low potential. In any case, no long-lived paramagnetic products were observed by conventional EPR spectroscopy under stationary electrolysis of 13 in the potential rangé 0.8 > E >´1.8 V. In further syntheses of carbocycle-fused 1,2,3-dithiazoles as potential precursors of persistent RAs (cf. [6,7]) using the established procedure the chlorination must be prevented by appropriate substitution in starting oximes.
The effectiveness of the S 2 Cl 2 /pyridine system in the chemistry described in this work motivates a special investigation of possible interaction/complexation between its components.