Diphenyl disulfide

Diphenyl disulfide
Names
IUPAC name
Diphenyl disulfide
Preferred IUPAC name
Disulfanyldibenzene
Other names
Phenyl disulfide
Identifiers
882-33-7 Yes
ChEMBL ChEMBL462861 Yes
ChemSpider 12861 Yes
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 13436
RTECS number SS6825000
Properties
Molecular formula
C12H10S2
Molar mass 218.34 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless crystals
Melting point 61 °C (142 °F; 334 K)
Insoluble
Solubility in other solvents Soluble in diethyl ether, benzene, carbon disulfide, and THF
Structure
Dipole moment 0 D
Hazards
Main hazards Flammable
R-phrases R36/37/38
S-phrases S26
Related compounds
Related compounds
Thiophenol,
Dimethyl disulfide,
Diphenyl diselenide
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Diphenyl disulfide is the chemical compound with the formula (C6H5S)2. This colorless crystalline material is often abbreviated Ph2S2. It is one of the most popular organic disulfides used in organic synthesis. Minor contamination by thiophenol is responsible for the disagreeable odour associated with this compound.

Preparation and structure

Ph2S2 is usually prepared by the oxidation of thiophenol:

2 PhSH + I2 Ph2S2 + 2 HI

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as the oxidant.[1] Ph2S2 is rarely prepared in the laboratory because it is inexpensive, and the precursor has a disagreeable odour.

Like most organic disulfides, the C2S2 core of Ph2S2 is non-planar with a dihedral angle approaching 85°.

Reactions

Ph2S2 is mainly used in organic synthesis as a source of the PhS substituent.[2] A typical reaction entails the formation of PhS-substituted carbonyl compounds via the enolate:

RC(O)CHLiR’ + Ph2S2 RC(O)CH(SPh)R’ + LiSPh

Reduction

Ph2S2 undergoes reduction, a reaction characteristic of disulfides:

Ph2S2 + 2 M 2 MSPh (M = Li, Na, K)

Hydride reagents such as sodium borohydride and super hydride can also be used as reductants. The salts PhSM are sources of the potent nucleophile PhS. Most alkyl halides, RX (X = halide) convert it to the thioethers with the general formula RSPh. Analogously, protonation of MSPh gives thiophenol:

PhSM + HCl HSPh + MCl

Chlorination

Ph2S2 reacts with chlorine to give phenylsulfenyl chloride PhSCl (Zincke disulfide cleavage). This species is somewhat difficult to isolate, so it is usually generated in situ.

Catalyst for photoisomerization of alkenes

Ph2S2 catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of alkenes under UV-irradiation.[3]

Oxidation

Oxidation of Ph2S2 with lead(IV) acetate (Pb(OAc)4) in methanol affords the sulfinite ester PhS(O)OMe.[4]

References

  1. Ravikumar,K. S.; Kesavan, V.; Crousse, B.; Bonnet-Delpon, D.; Bégué, J.-P. (2003). "Mild and Selective Oxidation of Sulfur Compounds in Trifluoroethanol: Diphenyl Disulfide and Methyl Phenyl Sulfoxide". Org. Synth. 80: 184.
  2. Byers, J. H. "Diphenyl Disulfide" in Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (Ed: L. Paquette) 2004, J. Wiley & Sons, New York. doi:10.1002/047084289.
  3. Thalmann, A. Oertle, K.; Gerlach, H. (1990). "Ricinelaidic Acid Lactone". Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol. 7, p. 470
  4. Field, L.; Locke, J. M. (1973). "Methyl Benzenesulfinate". Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol. 5, p. 723