Studies on Antitumor Substances. VI. Chemical Behaviors of Thiosulfonates, Disulfonyl Sulfides, and Related Compounds

1. A general method for the preparation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical disulfonyl sulfides was established starting from sodium alkanethiosulfonates and alkanesulfonyl chlorides. 2. Thiosulfonates and disulfonyl sulfides were found to be reduced to the corresponding disulfides and trisulfides respectively. These results suggest that the unsymmetrical disulfides and trisulfides might be prepared generally by this method. 3. Trisulfides were found to be desulfurizated to the corresponding sulfides via disulfides. 4. Oxidation of alkylaryldisulfides occurred preferentially on the farthest sulfur atom from the electron releasing alkyl group.