lustrated in Scheme I. We have found only one such compound, 2b, in the literature," prepared in 55% yield from dimedone, lb, and utilized only once since in a study unrelated to our objectives. 12 While little is known of the chemistry of such compounds, an earlier report by Ireland13 describes in situ formation of tosylate 5 from hydroxymethylene ketone 4, followed by mercaptide addition to f R 1
