Under mild aprotic conditions α-halo carbonyl compounds react with diphenyl disulfide in the presence of sodium telluride to give the corresponding α-phenylthio derivatives in good to moderate yields. The reaction appears to proceed involving the sulfur–sulfurbondcleavage of diphenyl disulfide by sodium telluride.
Bissulfenylation followed by monodesulfenylation with a Grignardreagent cleanly provides magnesium enolates of α-phenylthiocarbonyl compounds for aldol condensation.