UTILIZATION OF SULFUR: SYNTHESIS OF SYMMETRICAL THIIRANES FROM KETOHYDRAZONES

Abstract

Dispiro (xanthene-9,2′-thiirane-3′,9″-xanthene), dispiro(thioxanthene-9,2′-thiirane-3′,9″-thioxanthene), epithiobidiphenyleneethane, epithiotetraphenylethane, epithiotetra-p-anisylethane, and epithiotetra-p-tolylethane are directly synthesized by the base-catalyzed interaction of the corresponding ketohydrazones, elemental sulfur, and yellow mercuric oxide. The reaction mechanism is discussed. Epithiotetra-p-tolylethane is also obtained by the uncatalyzed reaction of sulfur with the corresponding diazoalkane.