Ultrasonic cleavage of thioethers.

The rates of DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) trapping and the sonolytical products obtained during the sonolysis of thioethers at normal and low temperature are reported. CS2, lower sulfides, thiophene, and sulfurized species are the common products during the ultrasonic irradiations. Hydrocarbons are also obtained during the sonolysis of diallyl sulfide, diethyl disulfide, and dipropyl disulfide. Furthermore, aldehydes are obtained as oxidized species; SO2 is found at 208 K. The principal sonochemical process appears to be the cleavage of C-S or S-S bond with secondary combinations and rearrangements. DPPH has been used to probe the sonolytical potential of thioethers. The results show a good correlation between the rates of DPPH trapping and the vapor pressures of thioethers. In conclusion, a lower vapor pressure results in a higher sonolytical rate. The sonochemical behaviors of thioethers have strong qualitative similarities to the pyrolysis.