An Alternative Synthesis of Sodium Cyanodithioformate and the Disodium Salt of cis-1,2-Dicyanoethylene-1,2-dithiol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/prac.19983400311

A new synthesis of sodium cyanodithioformate 1 and the disodium salt of cis-1,2-dicyanoethylene-1,2-dithiol 2 is reported. The key step involves a nucleophilic thiolation with elemental sulfur starting from a substituted acetonitrile 4. This method may serve as a cyanide- and carbondisulfide-free alternative in the preparation of the title compounds.