A kinetic study of the silver(I) ion-assisted synthesis of thiosulphonate esters from aliphatic disulphides

Kinetic studies confirm that the silver(I) ion-promoted reaction of disulphides with sulphinate ions proceeds via formation of a disulphide–Ag+ complex. Nucleophilic attack by sulphinate sulphur at the sulphenyl centre of the complex leads to silver alkyl sulphide and thiosulphonate. Under favourable conditions the 1 : 1 disulphide–silver complex can be isolated.