A PREPARATIVE SCALE REDUCTION OF ALKYL DISULFIDES WITH TRIBUTYL PHOSPHINE AND WATER

Abstract A series of alkyl disulfides has been shown to be reduced by tributyl phosphine at room temperature. The resulting thiols were then acylated in the same pot and isolated in good yields. This sequence is convenient and is a practical option for the preparation of gram quantities of thiol or thioester from the corresponding disulfide.