General synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical organic sulphides under non-basic reaction conditions

Abstract

General syntheses of a variety of unsymmetrical methyl and ethyl sulphides, by treatment of the appropriate organic halides or the corresponding sulphonium salts with an excess of dimethyl or diethyl sulphide, are described. When organic halides are treated with the corresponding unsymmetrical methyl sulphides, symmetrical sulphides are produced via demethylation of the intermediate methylsulphonium salts by the halide ions.