Chemistry of N-heterocyclic sulfur compounds. Reaction of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazoles with 1,.omega.-dibromoalkanes. Synthesis of tetrathia[(n + 2).(n + 2)](2,5)-1,3-4-thiadiazolophanes and dithia[(n + 1).(n + 1)](3,5)-1,3,4-thiadiazolinophanedithiones
Novel compounds, i.e. 3,5-bis(chloromethylthio)-4-cyanoisothiazole; 2,5-bis(chloromethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole; and 3,5-bis(chloromethylthio)-1,2,4-thiadiazole are prepared by reacting an alkali metal aryl mercaptide with bromochloromethane in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt. These novel compounds have microbiological activity and are also useful as intermediates in the preparation of the corresponding thiocyanomethylthio compounds which have antimicrobial activity.