Sulfides, organolithium compounds from

The simplest chain structure -f-CH2—S- occurs through the polymerization of thioformaldehyde, CH2S, or its cyclic trimer (trithiane). Aliphatic polysulfides with two or more carbon atoms per monomeric unit are available through the polymerization of cyclic sulfides. The start step with organolithium compounds deviates from that of the epoxides in that initially the sulfur atom is attacked and subsequently the carbon atom is attacked. For example, the starting step with propylene sulfide and ethyl lithium initially gives propylene and lithium ethane thiolate ... 

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