REACTION OF SULFUR DIOXIDE WITH THIOLS CATALYZED BY BORON TRIFLUORIDE ETHERATE. EVIDENCE FOR A POSSIBLE INTERVENTION OF DITHIOSULFITE AS A REACTION INTERMEDIATE.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.56.2657

The reaction of sulfur dioxide (SO//2) with 1-propanethiol (NPT), 2-propanethiol (IPT), or 2-methyl-2-propanethiol (TBT) catalyzed by boron trifluoride ethrate (BF//3OEt//2) was investigated. The ratios of dialkyl trisulfide to dialkyl disulfide obtained (RSSSR/RSSR) at an early stage of the reaction were larger than 1 for the reaction of TBT and less than 1 for the reaction of NPT or IPT. The reaction of dithiosulfites with BF//3OEt//2 in the presence or absence of thiol was investigated. From a consideration of the similarity of the composition of the sulfides formed in the reaction of dithiosulfites with BF//3OEt//2 to those in the reaction of SO//2 witn thiol in the presence of BF//3OEt//2, the possibility of the intervention of dithiosulfite as a reaction intermediate in the reaction of SO//2 with thiol is discussed.