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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of unsymmetrical disulfides
Kristina Görmer1, Herbert Waldmann, Gemma Triola
1Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto Hahn Strasse 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
The Journal of Organic Chemistry
|February 4, 2010
Abstract:
An efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical disulfides exemplified for cysteines and penicillamines is described. The use of dimethyl sulfoxide mediated oxidation accelerated by microwave irradiation afforded various unsymmetrical disulfides in one step and in high yields.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Thiols are prepared using the hydrosulfide anion as a nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction with alkyl halides. For instance, bromobutane reacts with sodium hydrosulfide to give butanethiol.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Alkenes are converted to 1,2-diols or glycols through a process called dihydroxylation. It involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups across the double bond with two different stereochemical approaches, namely anti and syn. Dihydroxylation using osmium tetroxide progresses with syn stereochemistry.
