Catalytic reduction of sulfides and mixed sulfides containing octyl, benzyl, and phenyl group with pressure and in the presence of molybdenum sulfide catalyst indicated that the cleavage reaction was proceeded at a temperature not exceeding 300°C and gave a corresponding hydrocarbon with good yield.The first cleavage reaction was the formation of mercaptan and hydrocarbon then followed by the cleavage of mercaptan.However, the amount remained in the mercaptan stage was less in case of a single sulfide even the reaction was carried out under unfavorable conditien.
The reaction of sulfides was compared with those of correspounding ethers and it was found that the reacton was proceeded at low temperature, with the indication that C-S-C bondwas more easily cleaved than C-0-C bond.
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