Elemental Sulfur: A Simple, Economic, and Versatile Reagent

Introduction

Elemental sulfur is a paled yellow, odorless and brittle solid, which is insoluble in water, but soluble in CS₂. [¹] It is very inexpensive and easy available, because of its abundance in many naturals’ sources (petroleum crude, minerals, etc.). [²] Elemental sulfur appears in several allotropic forms: octahedral, rhombic or α-sulfur, monoclinic, prismatic or β-sulfur. [¹] Both the rhombic and monoclinic forms are made up of eight sulfur atoms arranged in a puckered structure. Literature reveals that S₈ has been extensively used in numerous organic transformations, including synthesis of mercaptopurines, [³] oxazolidinones, [4] aminothiophenes, [5] reduction of nitroarenes, [6] and as oxidation agents. [7] These and some other applications are described below.

References

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