A Novel Rearrangement of Styryl Sulfoxide Induced by Phosphorus Pentachloride

Abstract
The reaction of both isomers of methyl styryl sulfoxide (Ia) with the title chloride affords methyl phenacyl sulfide (IIa) and phenyl(α-methylthio)acetaldehyde (IIIa) besides β-chlorostyryl methyl sulfide (IVa). Phenyl styryl sulfoxide reacts similarly.