Catalytic reaction of diethyl disulfide with methanol

Resumo

Diethyl disulfide reacted with methanol in the presence of solid acid catalysts at 250–350°C to give dimethyl, ethyl methyl, and diethyl sulfides. The most active catalysts were those containing simultaneously moderate basic sites, strong Lewis acid sites, and some amount of strong protonic acid sites. These catalysts ensured a total selectivity of 99% for dialkyl sulfides.