Complexes of Sn(IV), Sb(V) with Redox-Active Ligands as Mediators of Electrochemical Transformations of Alkanthiols

It is proposed to use complexes of antimony (V), tin (IV) with a tridentate O,N,O'-donor ligand as electromediators for the oxidation of C4, C6 alkanethiols to disulfides and in reactions with 1-hexene, bromocyclopentane aimed at producing sulfides at room temperature. In the presence of Sb (V), Sn (IV) complexes, alkanethiols were subjected to oxidative or reductive activation in solution, which made it possible to reduce the overvoltage of electrode processes compared to heterogeneous electron transfer. The [(p-FC6H5)3Sb(Cat-N-Cat)] complex showed high activity in the electrocatalytic transformations of alkanethiols into disulfides. This complex also turned out to be effective in the synthesis of sulfides based on alkanethiols of various structures and 1-hexene. The interaction of alkanethiols with bromocyclopentane with the participation of the mediator [Ph2Sn(Cat-N-SQ)] leads to the formation of unsymmetrical sulfides along with disulfides of symmetrical structure. The involvement of Sb(V), Sn(IV) complexes with a redox-active ligand in mediator electrosynthesis turned out to be appropriate due to its energy efficiency and environmental safety in comparison with direct electrochemical methods for the production of mono- and disulfides.