Dithiete

Dithiete is an unsaturated heterocyclic compound that contains two adjacent sulfur atoms and two sp²-hybridized carbon centers. Derivatives are known collectively as dithietes or 1,2-dithietes. With 6 π electrons, 1,2-dithietes, like thiophenes, are examples of aromatic organosulfur compounds. A few 1,2-dithietes are known. Unsubstituted 1,2-dithiete has been generated in thermolytic reactions and was characterized by microwave spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy in a low temperature matrix. The open ring structure, dithioglyoxal, HC(S)C(S)H, which is less stable than the isomeric 1,2-dithiete, can be prepared (as trans-dithioglyoxal) by low temperature photolysis of 1,3-dithiol-2-one in solid argon or nitrogen matrix. Quantum chemical calculations can reproduce the observed higher stability of 1,2-dithiete only if large basis-sets with polarization functions are used.