The nickel-catalysed carbonylation of 2-mercaptoethanol

2-Mercapthoethanol undergoes carbonylation in pyridine solution in the presence of oxygen and of Ni(CO)₃Pyl as a catalyst to give cyclic O, S-ethylelnethiorcarbonate. The isolation of thiolatonickel compound Ni(SCH₂CH₂OH)₂] by the oxidation of a solution containing Ni(CO)₃Py] and 2-mercaptoethanol, and its reaction with carbon monoxide to give the cyclic thiocarbonate and Ni(CO)₃Py] prove that the reaction proceeds in at least two steps.