The reactions of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene with alkanethiols in the presence of K(2)CO(3) (the molar ratio of the reactants is 1 : 1 : 1) in dipolar aprotic solvents result in selective replacement of the ortho-nitro group to form 2-alkylthio-4,6-dinitrotoluenes, which can be oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides or sulfones. The second ortho-nitro group can be replaced under the action of one more equivalent of alkanethiol oil sulfides as exemplified in PhCH(2)SH.
The reactions of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene with alkanethiols in the presence of K(2)CO(3) (the molar ratio of the reactants is 1 : 1 : 1) in dipolar aprotic solvents result in selective replacement of the ortho-nitro group to form 2-alkylthio-4,6-dinitrotoluenes, which can be oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides or sulfones. The second ortho-nitro group can be replaced under the action of one more equivalent of alkanethiol oil sulfides as exemplified in PhCH(2)SH.