The Chemistry of Bunte Salts

Abstract Bunte salts can be obtained, not only from alkyl halides and sodium thiosulfate, but also from compounds containing activated multiple bonds, and sodium thiosulfate. The Bunte salts prepared by the new method, contrary to earlier observations, are cleaved by alkalis into the unsaturated starting compounds and sodium thiosulfate. This reaction, which is used for the fixation of unsaturated compounds (e.g. to cellulose), and other reactions of the Bunte salts are discussed. The industrial applications and biological properties of the Bunte salts are also mentioned.