Hydrothiolysis of di(2-thienyl) disulfide

The hydrothiolysis of di(2-thienyl) disulfide by hydrogen sulfide at 130–180°C leads to the formation mainly of di(2-thienyl) sulfide. 2-Thiophenethiol is formed as a side-product due to the dissociation of the disulfide at the S-S bond and subsequent reaction of the thiol radicals with hydrogen sulfide. Di(2-thienyl) sulfide also undergoes secondary conversions to 2-thienyl 3-thienyl sulfide and 3-thiophenethiol by the addition of thiol radicals at C-3 of the thiophene ring.