Reductive Cleavage of S–S Bond by Zn/AlCl₃ System: A Novel Method for the Synthesis of Sulfides from Alkyl Tosylates and Disulfides

Abstract

Alkyl and aryl disulfides are reduced by zinc powder in the presence of AlCl₃ in aqueous media to yield zinc thiolates. These thiolate anion species then react with alkyl tosylates to give sulfides in high to excellent yields.

Keywords:

• Alkyl tosylates
• Zn/AlCl₃ system
• Reductive cleavage of disulfides
• Zinc thiolates
• Sulfides

Acknowledgment

We thank the K. N. Toosi University of Technology Research Council for financial support.