Raney nickel reaction with dithianes

Another useful application of this reaction stems from the fact that dithianes can be desulfiirated with Raney nickel (14-34). Aldehydes can therefore be converted to chain-extended hydrocarbons ... 

Raney nickel is a highly active, finely divided form of the metal prepared by reaction of a nickel/aluminum alloy with concentrated sodium hydroxide, which removes most of the aluminum as Na[Al(OH)4], Although active for a very wide range of reductions, it has been particularly widely used for the reduction of nitriles, and the desulfurization of thioacetals, thioethers, and dithianes (see Section 19.3.3) (Figure 23.22). The careful disposal of the catalyst after use is very important once it has dried out, the metal is highly pyrophoric. 

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