Singlet oxygen reaction—II: Alkylthiosubstituted ethylene

The reaction of singlet oxygen with tetrakis(ethylthio)ethylene has been shown to afford diethylthiooxalate and diethyl disulfide. The expected diethylthiocarbonate was also obtained as a minor product. A similar reaction with bis(ethylthio)ethylene gave ethylthioglyoxalate together with diethyl disulfide. Formation of diethylthioacetaldehyde was also observed, and is suggested to proceed via the intermediary 1,2-dioxetane or perepoxide followed by preferential migration of the ethyltilio group. On the other hand, phenylthioethylene is oxidized with singlet oxygen to give a thiol ester together with disulfide. This suggests that the formation of disulfide probably occurs via a radical pathway. The photooxygenation of disulfide in alcohol was also studied.