On the reported existence of ethylenetetrathiolate (C2S44-): The synthesisand characterization of 4,5-bis(acetylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-one

Attempts have been made to synthesize metal complexes bridged by ethylenete trathiolate (C2S44-) based on literature reports of the formation of this t etraanion from the reaction of 1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene-2,5-dione (tpd) w ith alkoxide bases. Evidence showing that C2S44- is not formed under these conditions and that the ring opening of tpd occurs in a stepwise fashion is presented. Reaction of tpd with excess alkoxide followed by acetyl chlorid e results in the formation of 4,5-bis(acetylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-one (1) and not the tetraacylated compound 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(acetylthio)ethylene (2).