1,3‐Diisopropylcarbodiimide‐Mediated Synthesis of Disulfides from Thiols

By using 1,3‐diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) as a promoter, an efficient method for the synthesis of disulfides from thiols has been developed. This method provides a convenient access to symmetrical diaryl disulfides bearing various substituents including methyl, tert ‐butyl, methoxy and halogen groups in good to excellent yields. Alkyl mercaptans such as benzyl mercaptan, 2‐phenylethylmercaptan and furfuryl mercaptan afford the corresponding disulfides in moderate to good yields. 1‐( tert ‐Butyl)‐2‐( p ‐tolyl)disulfane, an unsymmetrical disulfide, has also been prepared in very good yield by treating p ‐tolyl disulfide or p ‐thiocresol with excess 2‐methyl‐2‐propanethiol under the optimum conditions.