MOLECULAR REARRANGEMENTS. VI. THERMOLYSIS OF α-(N-ARYL)BENZYL ARYL SULFIDES

Abstract
In view of the significance of studying the effect of heat on organic compounds especially those containing nitrogen and/or sulfur, six substituted α-(N-aryl) benzyl aryl sulfides (4–9) were prepared and subjected to thermolysis at 200°C. Surveying of the reaction products showed the formation of amines, benzylidene amines, sulfides, disulfides, dibenzyl, stilbene, benzthiazole, benzimidazole, tetraphenyl thiophene as principle products in variable ratios according to the type of the starting sulfide. A mechanism involving the homolytic cleavage of the C[sbnd]S and the C[sbnd]N bond is suggested to rationalize the thermolysis products.