Selective synthesis of 2-haloalkanethiols and episulfides therefrom

摘要

Haloalkanethiols are synthesized through the free radical liquid phase reaction of halogenated olefins with an excess of hydrogen sulfide. High product yields to the desired haloalkanethiol products are secured when a 3 to 20 fold molar excess of hydrogen sulfide to halogenated olefin is used. Desirably, the synthesis is carried out to a conversion level not exceeding 90%. The haloalkanethiol products can be subsequently dehydrohalogenated to the corresponding episulfide products by reacting the haloalkanethiol product with a substantially equal molar amount of anhydrous ammonia.