CATALYTIC REARRANGEMENT OF O,S-DIALKYL DITHIOCARBONATES TO S,S-DIALKYL DITHIOCARBONATES. IV. USE OF BORON TRIFLUORIDE ETHERATE AS CATALYST

Migration of alkyl group from O to S in the reaction of O, S-dialkyl dithiocarbonates with boron trifluoride etherate was studied to elucidate the reaction mechanism on the basis of results from kinetics, crossover reaction, and products formed. It was worthy of note that dialkyl methyl sulfonium fluoroborates were formed in a fairly good yield in reactions with O-alkyl S-methyl dithiocarbonates (alkyl=benzyl and cholesteryl) with boron trifiuoride etherate. Formation mechanism of these by-products was investigated and discussed.