Thiuram disulfide

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General structure of a thiuram disulfide

Thiuram disulfides are a class of organic disulfides that have the general structural formula shown to the right.

Preparation

They are prepared from the oxidation of their corresponding sodium salts of thiocarbamates with iodine:

2 NaS₂CNR₂ + I₂ → R₂NC(S)S-SC(S)NR₂ + 2 NaI (where R is an alkyl group)

Example

The tetraethylthiuram disulfide compound, known as Disulfiram, is commonly used to treat chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol ingestion by blocking acetaldehyde dehydrogenase conversion of acetaldehyde leading to a higher concentration of the aldehyde in the blood producing symptoms of a severe hangover.

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