SN2 reaction of hydrosulfide ion with alkyl halides to give thiols
Description: Alkyl halides (or tosylates) will react with the hydrosulfide ion (HS–) to give thiols.
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Real-Life Example:
Org. Synth. 1932, 12, 68
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.012.0068
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Don’t you have to use DMSO as the solvent for the second example?
A polar aprotic solvent like DMSO or acetonitrile would certainly be helpful for these reactions. It’s unlikely to have any competition with the E2 since the sulfide anion is not particularly basic (good threshold is the E2 doesn’t compete if the pKa of the conjugate acid is 12 or below. Thiols have a pKa of 12).
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