Photo-Decomposition of Organic Sulfur Compounds at Room Temperature

Abstract

Summary:The photo-decomposition of sixteen organic sulfur compounds were examined by the reaction with diphenyl picryl hydrazil (DPPH) at room temperature.Application of mercury-lamp or natural light to sample sulfur compounds release free radicals. Reaction velocity considerably varies depending upon type of ultraviolet ray applied, and susceptibility to light varies depending upon chemical structure of sulfur compounds, order being identical with each type of ultraviolet ray.Under these reaction conditions, mercaptanes react most rapidly with DPPH as compared with other sulfur compounds having corresponding side chains. This reaction seems to be of hydrogen abstraction type. Disulfides decomposed more easily than corresponding sulfides.The effect of hydrocarbon side chains on reactivity of these sulfur compounds was in the following order : naphthyl>phenyl>benzyl, alkyl radicals.