Synthesis of unsymmetrical phosphorus disulfides.

A sulfur-mediated umpolung strategy employing N -thiosuccinimides and (EtO) 2 P(O)SH has been developed to synthesize unsymmetrical organophosphorus disulfides (P(O)-S-S motif). A pronucleophile (EtO) 2 P(O)SH, Brønsted acid and phosphorothioate nucleophile, converts N -thiosuccinimides into unsymmetrical phosphorus disulfides. This protocol achieves catalyst- and additive-free reaction conditions, uses a renewable solvent (EtOH), and avoids harsh reagents.