Free Radical Substitution Reactions of Sulfur Monochloride. A Limited Synthesis of Mercaptans

The photolysis of sulfur monochloride with a series of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons yielded alkyl chlorides, di- and polysulfides, hydrogen chloride, and elemental sulfur. The free radical substitution reactions leading to the production of alkyl chloride and the di- and polysulfides were shown to proceed via a chlorine atom abstraction reaction. The major products, the di- and polysulfides could be transformed quantitatively, by lithium aluminum hydride reduction into their corresponding mercaptans. The reaction describes a simple free radical route to the synthesis of a variety of alkyl mercaptans.