Gas-phase reaction of 2-chlorothiophene with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of alcohols

The effect of methanol and ethanol on the route of the gas-phase reaction of 2-chlorothiophene with hydrogen sulfide, leading to 2-thiophenethiol and to bis(2-thienyl) sulfide, has been investigated. It was found that methanol significantly enhances this reaction and increases its selectivity for the thiol at higher temperatures than without the initiator. The optimal conditions were achieved at 570°C in the presence of 10 mole % of methanol when the conversion of the 2-chlorothiophene in the reaction with hydrogen sulfide reaches 98% and the yield of the thiophenethiol (43%) exceeds that of the bis(2-thienyl)sulfide (31%). In the absence of methanol the 2-thiophenethiol is formed only at 510-540°C in just 17% yield, the basic reaction product being the indicated sulfide (52% yield); the conversion of the 2-chlorothiophene does not exceed 54%.