1,3-Propanedithiol is the chemical compound with the formula HSCH2CH2CH2SH. This dithiol is a useful reagent in organic synthesis. This liquid, which is readily available commercially, has an intense stench.
Reactions
1,3-Propanedithiol has been used for the protection of aldehydes and ketones via their reversible formation of dithianes.[1] A prototypical reaction is its formation of 1,3-dithiane from formaldehyde.[2] The reactivity of this dithiane illustrates the concept of umpolung. Alkylation gives thioethers, e.g. 1,5-dithiacyclooctane. The unpleasant odour of 1,3-propanedithiol has encouraged the development of alternative reagents that generate similar derivatives.[3]
Oxidation gives not the 1,2-dithiolane, but the bis(disulfide).

1,3-Propanedithiol is used in the synthesis of tiapamil.
1,3-Propanedithiol reacts with metal ions to form dithiolates. Illustrative is the synthesis of the derivative diiron propanedithiolate hexacarbonyl upon reaction with triiron dodecacarbonyl:[5]
- Fe3(CO)12 + C3H6(SH)2 → Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 + H2 + Fe(CO)5 + CO
Safety
The stench of 1,3-propanedithiol can be minimized with bleach.
See also
References
- ^ Conrow, R. E.; Le Huérou, Y. (2004). "1,3-Propanedithiol". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis (Ed: L. Paquette). J. Wiley & Sons, New York. doi:10.1002/047084289X. hdl:10261/236866. ISBN 9780471936237.
- ^ Corey, E. J.; Seebach, D. (1988). "1,3-Dithiane". Organic Syntheses; Collected Volumes, vol. 6, p. 556.
- ^ Liu, Q.; Che, G.; Yu, H.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, Q.; Dong, D. (2003). "The First Nonthiolic, Odorless 1,3-Propanedithiol Equivalent and Its Application in Thioacetalization". Journal of Organic Chemistry. 68 (23): 9148–9150. doi:10.1021/jo034702t. PMID 14604400.
- ^ Goodrow, Marvin H.; Olmstead, Marilyn M.; Musker, W. Kenneth (1983). "Preparation and X-Ray Crystal Structure of the Cyclic Dimer of 1,2-Dithiolane: 1,2,6,7-Tetrathiacyclodecane". Phosphorus and Sulfur and the Related Elements. 16 (3): 299–302. doi:10.1080/03086648308080483.
- ^ Hogarth, Graeme (2023). "An Unexpected leading role for [Fe2(CO)6(μ-PDT)] in our Understanding of [FeFe]-H2ases and the Search for Clean Hydrogen Production". Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 490. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215174.