Montmorillonite K10/ZnCl2 Catalyzed Alkyl Disulfide Substitution Reactions: Preparation of Thiomethyl Derivatives for the Synthesis of Organic Conducting Materials

Experiments are described detailing a method for the direct introduction of thiomethyl groups into activated benzenes, thiophene and benzob]thiophene using an activated mesoporous clay to promote thiomethyl substitution. Elaboration of 2,3-dithiomethylbenzob]thiophene, a product of the clay-catalyzed reaction of benzob]thiophene with dimethyl disulfide, to a tetrathiafulvalene derivative is described.