Facile preparation of bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides via elimination

A robust facile synthetic preparation of bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides is presented. The route follows an elimination mechanism rather than the more common oxidation. Addition of p-tosyl chloride to a thiocarbonyl thiolate results in the elimination of the chloride by the trithiocarbonate anion and subsequent elimination of the tosyl leaving group (by a second thiocarbonyl thiolate). The side products of the reaction are bis(4-methylphenyl)disulfone and tosylate salts/acids.