Fig. 6. Possible reaction routes of dBB reacting with thiols. (a) Addition of one thiol generates the sulfonium thioether. (b) Nucleophilic addition of a thiol generates the dithiol bimane adduct. Possible mechanisms of BTE formation from thiols, including: (c) nucleophilic attack at the α-position of the pendent thiol; (d) elimination from deprotonation of hydrogens in the β-position of the pendant thiols; and (c) radical fragmentation.
