Montmorillonite K10/ZnCl₂ Catalyzed Alkyl Disulfide Substitution Reactions: Preparation of Thiomethyl Derivatives for the Synthesis of Organic Conducting Materials

Abstract

Experiments are described detailing a method for the direct introduction of thiomethyl groups into activated benzenes, thiophene and benzo[b]thiophene using an activated mesoporous clay to promote thiomethyl substitution. Elaboration of 2,3-dithiomethylbenzo[b]thiophene, a product of the clay-catalyzed reaction of benzo[b]thiophene with dimethyl disulfide, to a tetrathiafulvalene derivative is described.

KEY WORDS::

• Thiomethyl substitution
• montmorillonite clay
• ZnCl₂
• tetrathiafulvalene