The rapid and efficient synthesis of disulfides from alkyl and acyl halides

Various symmetrical dialkyl and diacyl disulfides are prepared easily in high yields from the corresponding alkyl and acyl halides under mild and nonaqueous conditions using N,N′-dibutyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BTMETB) or N,N′-dibenzyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediammonium tetrahydroborate (BZTMETB) and elemental sulfur. The quaternary diammonium borohydrides were easily prepared by treatment of the corresponding quaternary diammonium chloride or bromide with alkaline solution of sodium borohydride at room temperature.