One-step synthesis of carbon-sulphur heterocyclic ring by electrochemical reduction of carbon disulphide at platinum electrode

Electrochemical Laboratory of Green Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad,

Allahabad-211 002, Uttar Pradesh, India

E-mail: rkp.singh@rediffmail.com

Manuscript received 14 May 2009, revised 3 March 2010, accepted 4 March 2010

The electro reductive cyclization of carbon disulphide in nonaqueous solvent is reported here. At constant potential, the electrolysis of carbon disulphide was carried out in the presence of an electrophile i.e. alkyl cation, acyl cation etc. using N,N-dimethylfomamide, acetonitrile or DMSO as a nonaqueous solvent and tetrabutylammonium iodide, tetraethylammonium phosphate as a supporting electrolyte. Electro reductive cyclization or carbon disulphide gives 4,5- disubstituted thio-1,3-dithiole-2-thione at platinum cathode. This Is a one pot electrochemical synthesis which takes place at room temperature.