Alkylene Trithiocarbonates and Attempted Syntheses of 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol (B.A.L.)

Abstract

Alkylene trithiocarbonates are usually conveniently made from the corresponding alkylene oxide or sulphide by the action of potassium xanthate or sodium trithiocarbonate. Propylene and isobutylene trithiocarbonates have been prepared, and it is found that the alkaline hydrolysis of alkylene trithiocarbonates to give the corresponding 1,2-dithiol is a general one. This hydrolysis should produce 2,3-dimercaptopropanol when applied to the trithiocarbonates derived from epichlorhydrin, glycidol and its acetate. However, these reactive substances do not produce pure trithiocarbonates. Hydroxypropylene sulphide has been obtained by treating chlorpropylene sulphide with sodium carbonate.