CATALYTIC CONVERSIONS OF LOWER ALKANETHIOLS TO DIALKYL SULFIDES

The possibility of the selective conversion of lower alkanethiols RSH (R = C-1-C-3) to dialkyl sulfides in the presence of the modified alum ina catalyst was demonstrated. The corresponding symmetrical dialkyl s ulfides were produced as a result of the alkanethiol disproportionatio n, and the methylalkyl sulfides were produced by reactions of alkaneth iols with methanol. The rate of the alkane methanethiol conversion cha nged in the following order: iso-C3H7SH > C2H5SH > CH3SH. Methanethiol quantitatively converted to dimethyl sulfide; ethanethiol and especia lly propanethiol-2 reacted less selectively because of the decompositi on reaction. The process is inhibited in the case of a mixture of alka nethiols.