PURPOSE: To obtain a process for producing 1-alkyl-2-aminoethanethiols in high yield without generating large amount of hydrogen sulfide during the reaction.
CONSTITUTION: This process for the production of 1-alkyl-2-aminoethanethiols of formula II comprises the reaction of a 2-alkyl-2-halogenoethylamine mineral acid salt of formula I (X is Cl, Br or I; R is a 1-8C alkyl; Y is hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide) with (i) hydrogen sulfide in the presence of an alkali or (ii) an alkali metal sulfide or alkali metal hydrosulfide and optionally with an alkali and/or hydrogen sulfide. The reaction is carried out at 30-100°C, preferably 50-80°C. The amount of hydrogen sulfide is 1-6mol (preferably 2-5mol) and that of the alkali metal sulfide or alkali metal hydrosulfide is 1-5mol (preferably 1.2-3mol) based on 1mol of the compound of formula I.
SASAKI SAKAKI
TANAKA EIJI
ARAI KENICHI
TANIGAWA HIROHARU
