Unexpected Thioketene Derivative Formation During Thioacyl Dithiophosphate Synthesis

The scope and limitations of the thioacylation method using thioacyl dithiophosphates were investigated. Thioacyl dithiophosphates are formed in the reaction of acyl dithiophosphates with dithiophosphoric acid. However when the acyl moiety contains two alpha-substituents then a thioketene derivative is formed thus lowering the yield of expected thioacyl dithiophosphate.