N,N'-Bis(3-triethylsilylpropyl)thiourea S-Dioxide and Poly[N,N'-bis(silsesquioxanylpropyl)thiourea S-Dioxide] as Reductants

The reducing power of organosilicon thiourea S-dioxides, N,N'-bis(3-triethylsilylpropyl)thiourea S-dioxide and polyN,N'-bis(silsesquioxanylpropyl)thiourea S-dioxide], was studied. The first, monomeric dioxide readily reduces cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol. In its presence, under phase-transfer conditions, dipropyl disulfide reacts with bromobenzene to form propyl phenyl sulfide, and tellurium reacts with ethyl bromide to form diethyl telluride. The reducing power of the polymeric dioxide was demonstrated by the example of reduction of potassium permanganate. Irrespective of the medium (neutral, acidic, or alkaline), this polymer reduces Mn(VII) to Mn(IV).