Synthesis of 3,3,5,5-tetrabenzyl-1,2,4-trithiol and 1,2-dis(1,3-arylpropan-2-yl)disulfane

Novel sulfur-containing compounds (3a-3c, 4a-4c) were obtained in ethanol with 1,3-diphenyl-2-propanone as the starting material. The advantages of this procedure were mild reaction conditions, simple protocol, and high yields. The structures of the products were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, MS and elementary analysis. The crystal of the new compound 4a belongs to monoclinic, space group C2 with a = 18.727(3), b = 6.5179(9), c = 13.7576(18)Å, β = 131.0610(10)°, V = 1266.2(3)Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 2.136 g/cm3, μ = 1.078 mm-1, F(0 0 0) = 843, R = 0.0490 and wR = 0.1247 for 3211 observed reflection with I > 2σ(I). X-ray analysis reveals that the molecule is not symmetrical, the molecular structure is stabilized by weak π-π stacking interactions, and no classical hydrogen bonds can be observed.