Facile synthesis of unsymmetrical benzotetrathiafulvalenes via cleavage of the corresponding hexathioorthooxalates

Unsymmetrical hexathioorthooxalates of types (1) and (2) undergo elimination of dialkyl disulfide on heating in an organic solvent; the reaction, which is catalyzed by acid, proceeds without fission of the central C bond and provides the first general, high yield synthesis of unsymmetrical benzotetrathiafulvalenes of types (3) and (4). © 1984.