Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (production)

Yves Darche

Henri Gongora

The invention relates to the production of dialkyl disulphides of the R-SS-R type where R represents an alkyl radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, by oxidation of the corresponding alkyl mercaptan R--SH by sulphur in the presence of a catalyst. A combination of an alkyl mercantap R'--SH with an alkylene oxide and an alkaline base is used as catalyst, R' representing an alkyl radical having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. This catalyst enables a lower dialkyl disulphide of excellent quality to be obtained (absence of amine and coloration).

Process for the production of lower dialkyl disulphides

Process for the production of organic polysulphides of the type R--S.sub.n --R, where R is a hydrocarbon group and n a number from 2 to 8, by heating one or more mercaptans with sulphur, in the presence of a catalyst; the catalyst consists of the combination of a mercaptan with an alkene oxide and an alkaline base.

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Orthez, France

Yves Darche