Reactions of sodium sulphide—I : With compounds containing hydroxyl groups

Aqueous solutions of sodium sulphide (ca 10%) reagent were reacted at 250° with compounds containing OH groups. This work was part of a programme designed to test the usefulness of the Na₂S solution degradation technique for determining the primary structure of humic acids. The compounds reacted here and the principal products detected (shown in brackets) were: cinnamyl alcohol (benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, 3-phenylpropionic acid), benzyl alcohol (little reaction), 3-phenylpropan-1-ol (little reaction), 1,2-dihydroxy-1-phenylethane (phenylacetic acid, acetophenone, 1-phenylethanol), catechol and hydroquinone (recovered starting compounds+ polymer products). Sodium hydroxide gave the same products with cinnamyl alcohol, but in different proportions. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are discussed.