2-Alkyl- or 2,2-dialkyl-1,3-oxathiolanes can be effectively prepared from aldehydes or ketones and 2-mercaptoethanol, with triisopropylsilyl triflate as a catalyst. The reaction is over within minutes and, despite the fact that water is nor removed during the reaction, the yields of products are high.
Dehydration of thiodiglycol at 195°–230° with potassium hydroxide produced a 36% yield of divinyl sulphide, 9–10% of 2-methyl-1,3-thioxolane, 7–8% of 1,4-thioxane, and 3.5% of vinyl 2-hydroxyethyl sulphide. Physical properties and infrared spectra are reported. Divinyl sulphide of high purity for polymer work was obtained by distillation in a Podbielniak column. Precautions that must be observed in the preparation, distillation, and storage are given.