Abstract: The synthesis of 2, 3-diphenylthiirene 1, I-dioxide (12) by a modified Ramberg- Backlund reaction is described. a, a'-Dibromodibenzyl sulfone (11) was obtained by (a) bromination of dibenzyl sulfide followed by oxidation or (b) brominative decarboxylation of LY, LY'-diphenylsulfodiacetic acid (13). Without separation of the mixture of diastereomeric dibromides, treatment with triethylamine in refluxing methylene dichloride gave 12. The ...