Rhodium-catalyzed organothio exchange reaction of α-organothioketones with disulfides

RhH(PPh₃)₄ and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) catalyzed the organothio exchange reaction of α-organothioketones and organic disulfides. The reaction was affected by the structure of the substrate: α-phenylthio and α-alkylthio aryl ketones reacted effectively with diaryl and dialkyl disulfides; α-phenylthio dialkyl ketones reacted with diaryl disulfides but not with dialkyl disulfides; diaryl disulfides with electron-donating p-substituents were more reactive than those with electron-withdrawing p-substituents.