Recent Progress in 1,2-Dithiole-3-thione Chemistry

This chapter deals with the remarkable group of pseudoaromatic 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones (DITs) and covers relevant literature published from about 1992 through 2012. The synthetic section describes the formation of DTTs and their benzo derivatives both by cyclization of nonheterocyclic precursors and by transformation of other heterocyclic compounds. In a structure-related section, outstanding properties such as the spectroscopic and electrochemical behavior are especially stressed. The reactivity of DTTs is predominantly characterized by ring-preserving reactions at the thiocarbonyl group, ring cleavage, and ring transformation. Finally, the important pharmaceutical action and other uses of DTTs are reviewed.