PROCEDE DE PREPARATION D'EPISULFURES

1338342 Episulphides SOC NATIONALE DES PETROLES D'AQUITAINE 4 May 1972 [7 May 1971] 20773/72 Heading C2C An episulphide of formula in which R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon radicals are prepared by heating a mercaptoalkyl ester of formula in which A is an alkyl group in the gas phase in the presence of a dehydration catalyst, e.g. alumina optionally containing soda, ferric oxide or silica. R 1 and R 2 may be, for example, C 1 -C 12 alkyl groups, or aralkyl, alkaryl, or cycloalkyl radicals.