1,2,4,5-TETRAMERCAPTOBENZENE. A Facile Route to the Benzo[1,2-d: 4,5-d']bis[1,3]dithiole Ring System

Abstract

Abstract The dissolving metal reduction of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(ethylthio)benzene (2) with alkali metals in various solvents was investigated. Reduction of 2 with lithium in n-propylamine solvent gave 1,2,4,5-Tetramercaptobenzene (1) in high yield. The acid catalysed reaction of 1 with aldehydes and ketones gave the benzo-[1,2-d: 4,5-d']bis[1,3]dithiole ring system.