Single electron transfer desulfurization

In relation to the industrial HDS process, reactions of thiophene families with hydride sources are of interest. A combination of Ni(OAc)2, RONa, and NaH is an excellent reagent for complete desulfurization of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene under ambient conditions (65 °C) [124]. Reaction of Ni(cod)(bpy) with LiAlH4 gives Li+[Ni(bpy)(AlH2)] (thf)n, which also removes sulfur atom from dibenzothiophene in the presence of proton source such as acetic acid (Scheme 3.62) [125]. A single electron transfer mechanism from the nickel ate complex to dibenzothiophene is proposed in this system. 

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