Scrambling of P–SP and P–SC bonds between tetraphosphorus decasulphide and phosphorotetrathioic esters

Abstract

The thermal redistribution of P₄S₁₀ with (RS)₃PS (R = alkyl or aryl) generates metaphosphorotrithioic esters (RSPS₂)₂ and relatively smaller amounts of symmetrical [(RS)₂P(S)]₂S as ‘middle’ and ‘end’ species respectively. Reacting P₄S₁₀ with thiols affords similar mixtures. With dithiols HS(CH₂)_nSH (n= 2 or 3), no ‘middle’ compound was obtained but only ‘end’ and ‘ortho’ derivatives, chiefly [AS₂P(S)]₂Y (A = alkylene, Y =–S– or –SAS– respectively).