Thermal Decomposition of Dibenzyl Disulfide in Hexadecane

Abstract

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of dibenzyl disulfide in hexadecane solvent over the temperature range 210°C (483 K) to 270°C (543 K) has been investigated. The decomposition rate is proportional to the concentration of dibenzyl disulfide, i.e. first order decomposition, under most conditions reported. The major products are toluene, trans stilbene and toluene-α-thiol. Some minor products have been identified and measured.

Some aspects of the reaction mechanism are discussed in terms of a Rice-Herzfeld-type mechanism. The relevance of this work to earlier studies on the reactions of extreme-pressure additives with metal surfaces is discussed.