Simple and green method for synthesis of symmetrical dialkyl disulfides and trisulfides from alkyl halides in water; PMOxT as a sulfur donor

An environmentally new, mild and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of dialkyl disulfides and dialkyl trisulfides in aqueous conditions by a reaction between alkyl halides (and tosylate) and potassium-5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiolate (PMOxT) as a sulfur transfer reagent. The advantages of this method are that it occurs under mild reaction conditions, it is base free, it uses water as the solvent and it occurs in high yields. A variety of dialkyl disulfides and dialkyl trisulfides can be obtained in good to excellent yields up to 98%.