Reactions and characterisation of mercaptans thiols

Mercaptans RSH (also thioethers or sulphides R SR and disulphides R SSR ) are generally hquids and possess unpleasant odours. 

Upon fusion with caustic alkah (for experimental details, see Section IV,33,2) and acidification of the aqueous extract, hydrogen sulphide is evolved (detected by lead acetate paper). This test is given by aU organic compounds of divalent sulphur (RSH, R SR and R SSR ). 

Alkyl mercaptans are partly soluble in solutions of caustic alkalis, but their salts are hydrolysed in dilute aqueous solution back to the free mercaptans. Thiophenols are soluble in alkah hydroxide solutions. Upon treatment with sodium, hydrogen is evolved. 

Of the crystalline derivatives of thiols, those formed with 3 5-dinitro-benzoyl chloride are not very satisfactory since they have, in general lower melting points than those of the corresponding alcohols (compare Section 111,27,7) and do not diflfer widely from ethyl to n-heptyl. The best results are obtained with 2 4-dinitrochlorobenzene. 

Alkyl (or Aryl) 2 4-dinitrophenyl-sulphides (or thioethers) and the corresponding sulphones. Mercaptans react with 2 4-dinitrochlorobenzene in alkaline solution to yield crystalhne thioethers (2 4-dinitrophenyl-sulphides) (I)  

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