TBAF Promoted Formation of Symmetrical Trisulfides

We have developed a new method for the synthesis of functionalized symmetrical trisulfides based on (5,5-dimethyl-2-thioxo-1,3,2-dioxa-phosphorin-2-yl)disulfanyl derivatives prepared from readily available 5,5-dimethyl-2-sul-fanyl-2-thioxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane or bis(5,5-dimethyl-2-thioxo-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-yl) disulfide. The symmetrical trisulfides can be obtained from aliphatic and aromatic thiols and l-cysteine derivatives under mild conditions with high yield and purity. (C) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.