Neighboring π‑Amide Participation in Thioether Oxidation: Conformational Control

The electrochemical oxidation of thioethers is shown to be facilitated by neighboring amide participation. 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis in acetonitrile solution of two conformationally constrained compounds with such facilitation shows that two-electron participation by the amide π2 orbital can occur to stabilize the developing sulfur radical cation.