Synthesis of sulfur compounds from vinyl ethers and acetylene Communication 22. Reaction of ethyl vinyl sulfide with benzoyl peroxide

1. Benzoyl peroxide adds rapidly and quantitatively to ethyl vinyl sulfide with formation of ethylthioethylene dibenzoate; this explains why benzoyl peroxide cannot be used as an initiator for the polymerization of vinyl sulfides. 2. Di-tert-butyl peroxide promotes the polymerization of ethyl vinyl sulfide with formation of a polymer of low molecular weight, but it does not give addition products with this vinyl sulfide.