Dithiete

Dithiete is an unsaturated heterocyclic compound that contains two adjacent sulfur atoms and two sp2-hybridized carbon centers. Derivatives are known collectively as dithietes or 1,2-dithietes. With 6 π electrons, 1,2-dithietes are examples of aromatic organosulfur compounds. A few 1,2-dithietes have been isolated;  one (low-yielding) route is oxidation of a dithiolene complex. 3,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-dithiete is a particularly stable example.

Unsubstituted 1,2-dithiete has been generated in thermolytic reactions and was characterized by microwave spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy in a low temperature matrix. The open ring isomer, dithioglyoxal, HC(S)C(S)H, is less stable than the 1,2-dithiete.

The dithione can be prepared (as trans-dithioglyoxal) by low temperature photolysis of 1,3-dithiol-2-one. Quantum chemical calculations reproduce the observed greater stability of 1,2-dithiete only if large basis-sets with polarization functions are used.


 * [[Image:HONKOK.png|thumb|left|194px|Structure of the dithiete S2C2(CO2Me)2. Selected distances and angles: rundefined = 1.362, rC-S = 1.738, rS-S = 2.072 Å, <S-S-C = 78.3°, <S-C-S = 102°. ]]