Electrochemical reduction of some sulfilimines

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of some sulfilimines has been observed in aprotic medium. It has been shown that the reduction mechanism at the first polarographic wave involves the irreversible transfer of two electrons. Both S VI-N and N-S IV bonds can be cleaved in the reduction, but the main process is that concerning the N-S IV bond. Sulfonamides, sulfinic acids and diphenylsulfide have been found among the electrolysis products. In the case of S,S-diphenyl-N-unsubstituted sulfilimine, the two-electron reduction, at the first wave potential, leads to the N-S IV bond cleavage with the formation of diphenylsulfide and ammonia.