Dithiolane
A dithiolane is a sulfur heterocycle derived from cyclopentane by replacing two methylene bridges with thioether groups. The parent compounds are 1,2-dithiolane and 1,3-dithiolane.
1,2-Dithiolanes, such as lipoic acid or asparagusic acid, are cyclic disulfides. Some dithiolanes are natural and can be find in foods, such as asparagusic acid in asparagus. Lipoic acid has strong affinity with some metals such as gold, molybdenum, and tungsten. Other 1,2-dithiolanes have relevance in nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles or TMDs.
1,3-Dithiolanes are important as protecting groups for carbonyl compounds, since they are inert to a wide range of conditions. Reacting a carbonyl group with 1,2-ethanedithiol converts it to a 1,3-dithiolane, as detailed below.
