HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF DIALKYL DISULFIDES INTO ALKANETHIOLS

The decomposition of dimethyl and diethyl disulfides on solid catalyst s at elevated temperatures in a He or H2S medium results mainly in the formation of alkanethiols. The reaction is supposed to involve the do nor-acceptor interaction of the sulfur atom of the disulfide with the acid center of the catalyst with the subsequent rupture of S-S bonds a nd the formation of RS groups at the surface, which interact with surf ace protons.