GENERAL-ROUTE TO UNSYMMETRICAL PHOSPHORODITHIOATES

A general procedure for the synthesis of unsymmetrical phosphorodithio ates has been developed. The method involves the reaction of O,O-dieth yl S-alkylthiomethyl phosphorodithioates with dimethylamine to give O- ethyl S-alkylthiomethyl ethyldimethylammonium phosphorodithioates that were chlorinated using phosphorus pentachloride to furnish the interm ediate phosphorochloridodithioates, reaction of which with a variety o f nucleophiles in the presence of triethylamine furnished the desired unsymmetrical phosphorodithioates.