Abstract
2- and 3-[3H1]Methylbenzo[b]thiophen and [2-Me-3H1]-2,3-dimethylbenzo[b]thiophen undergo detritiation in anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid, the first-order rate constants at 70° being 14·1 × 10–7, 2·6 × 10–7, and 1·1 × 10–7 s–1, respectively. The rate for the least reactive compound is comparable to that for ring detritiation of [3H]benzene. The results are interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving reversible attachment of a proton to the ring carbon atom ortho to the [3H]methyl group, followed by loss of a proton from the latter to give an olefinic species.

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