THE REACTION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE WITH SULFOXIDES

The reaction of hydrogen sulfide with a series of dialkyl sulfoxides yielding sulfur, water and the corresponding dialkyl sulfide has been examined. The kinetics indicate the existence of important intermediates. These have been confirmed spectroscopically and shown to be ionic in character by conductimetric studies. A mechanism is proposed which accommodates the requirement for participation of ionic intermediates. Some suggestions are offered for the process whereby the S8 species is built up from molecularly distinct sulfur atoms.