Is it possible to make this?

I have been trying to synthesize the following molecule for the past couple of days, but today I considered that it might not be possible. I am performing this synthesis simply to characterize the sulfur-carbon linkages spectroscopically for future reference. I can't find any references in the literature for this molecule. I am in an academic lab with relatively good equipment (but not the best).

It looks complex, but if you observe the parts, it is just DTT (Dithiothreitol) and maleic anhydride. (Both are solids.)

I tried two techniques:

1. Using maleic acid and DTT in pH10 buffer to deprotonate the DTT and perform a conjugate addition at the double bond. After the reaction, I tried to remove the buffer with nitrogen gas, but the solubility of the observed product was high so I heated it. Product decomposed upon heating. Verified decomposition by NMR.

2. Using Maleic anhydride with DTT in dry diethyl ether over sodium carbonate. Interestingly, with the sodium carbonate, I observed a pink product briefly (which quickly decomposed) upon decanting the ether from it. Didn't bother with NMR. Got an oily yellow liquid.

I did not try this in an inert atmosphere, but plan to repeat in that perhaps tomorrow. I am thinking I may get side products with the alcohol groups and the anhydride (or acid). Any opinions? My graduate program was computational, so I am pretty much self-taught at synthesis. I may be missing something really stupid and obvious.

Thanks.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja01068a022 - Have you seen this ? Its literally the first thing google came up with