3-Mercaptomethyl and 3-organothiomethyl-4-methyl
United States Patent [1 1 Hickner et al.  
 Apr. 1, 1975 I54] 3-MERCAPTOMETHYL AND 3-()RGANOTI-IlOMETHYL-4-METl-IYL [75] Inventors: Richard A. Hickner; Corwin J.  
 Bredeweg; Raymond A. Plepys, all of Midland, Mich.  
 [73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,  
 Midland, Mich.  
 [22] Filed: May 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 252,625  
  Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 794,411, Jan. 27, I969, Pat. No.  
 U.S. Cl. 260/347.2, 204/158 R Int. Cl C07d 5/04 Field of Search 260/347.2; 204/158 R [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.098942 2/1961 Germany Primary E.\&#39;amt&#39;nerN0rma S. Milestone Assistant E.\&#39;aminerBernard Dentz Attorney, Agent, 0&#34; FirmChessie E. Rehberg [57] ABSTRACT Novel sulfur-containing pyrrolidines and tetrahydrofurans having the formula R-S-CHZ&#39;T --jcit (where R is oxygen or an amino group) are produced by reacting, under free radical conditions, a diallyl ether or a diallyl amine with a mercaptan. These new compounds are useful surface active agents, plasticizers and stabilizers and, in addition, have biological activity.  
 5 Claims, No Drawings 3-MERCAPTOMETHYL AND 3-ORGANOTHIOMETHYL-4-METHYL This is a division of application Ser&#39;. No. 794.41 I filed Jan. 27. 196*) now us. Pat. No. 3.682.965.  
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been reported that lb-heptadienes of the formula (CH- ,=CHCH A (whcreA is C. Si. N. P. O or S) produce sixmembered rings when contacted with certain chain transfer agents. e.g. n-butyl mercaptan. Sec Friedlander et al.. German Pat. No. 1.098.942.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that sulfur-containing pyrrolidines and tetrahydrofurans having the formula R-S-CH where R; is H. alkyl having up to six carbon atoms (preferably methyl). alkenyl having up to six carbon atoms. phenyl. phenalkyl having up to eight carbon atoms. aeyl having up to 18 carbon atoms (preferably acyl having up to six carbon atoms). SO- ,R,. where R is alkyl having up to six carbon atoms or phenyl. or halo- (preferably chloroor bromo-). nitroor hydroxy-substituted groups of the foregoing type.  
  In order to practice the invention. a diallyl ether or a diallyl amino compound (or a salt of said amino compound) having the formula (where R is defined above) is reacted. under free radieal initiating conditions. by contact. in any convenient manner. with a mercaptan having the formula (where R is defined above). After reaction. the pyrrolidine or tetrahydrofuran produced (depending upon whether R, is oxygen or an amino group) is separated from the reaction mixture by conventional methods. e.g. distillation.  
  Diallyl ether is a useful and preferred starting material for producing a tetrahydrofuran in accordance with this invention.  
  Typical of the diallyl amino compounds useful for producing a pyrrolidine in accordance with this invention are diallylamine; the N.N-diallylalkylamines. e.g.  
 N.N-diallylmethylamine. N.N-diallylhexylaminc; the N.N-diallylalkenylamines. e.g. triallylamine. N.N-diallyl-Z-methallylamine. N.N-  
 diallylbutenylamine; N.N-diallylaniline; the N.N-diallylphenalkylamines, e.g. N.N-diallylphenethylamine; the N.N-diallylacylamides. cg. N.N-diallylbenzamide. N.N-diallylacetamide. N.N-diallylpropionamide; N.N-diallylformamide; the N.N-diallylalkylsulfonamides. e.g. N.N-diallylmethanesulfonamide, N.N-diallylhexanesulfonamide; N.N-diallylbenzencsulfonamide; and the halo- (preferably chloroor bromonitroand hydroxy-substituted amino compounds, eg N,N-diallylethanolamine. N.N-diallyl-3- propanolamine. N.N-diallyl-p-bromoaniline, N.N-diallyl-p-nitrobenzamide. and the like. and salts thereof.  
  Included within the mercaptan starting materials are hydrogen sulfide; the alkyl mercaptans. e.g. methyl mercaptan. ethyl mercaptan. propyl mercaptan. nbutyl mercaptan. n-deeyl mercaptan. n-octadecyl mercaptan. isopentyl mercaptan. isobutyl mercaptan. and the like; the allyl mercaptans. e.g. allyl mercaptan; the carboxyalkyl mercaptans. e.g. mercaptoacetic acid. ethyl mercaptoacetate. and the like; thiophenol; the phenalkyl mereaptans. c.g. benzyl mercaptan. phenethyl mercaptan. phendecyl mercaptan. and the like; and the halo- (preferably chloroor bromo-). and hydroxy-substituted mercaptans. e.g. 2-chloroethyl mercaptan. p-hydroxyphcnethyl mercaptan. pehlorobenzyl mercaptan. Z-mercaptoethanol. 3-mercapto-l-propanol. 2-mercapto-l-butanol. and the like.  
  The reaction conditions are those normally associated with free .radical reactions. For example, at low temperatures (between 0 and C. either ultraviolet light alone. ultraviolet light with a chemical initiator. or high energy radiation can be used to initiate the reaction. At higher temperatures (between 25 and 150C.). it is preferred to conduct the reaction in the presence of a chemical initiator. The preferred temperature range is between 60 and C.  
  Typical of the chemical initiators that can be used are the azonitriles (e.g. azobisisobutyronitrile). the alkyl peroxides (e.g. di-t-butyl peroxide. lauryl peroxide). the acyl peroxides (e.g. acetyl peroxide. benzoyl peroxide) and the hydroperoxides (e.g. cumene hydroperoxide). In general. it is preferred to use between 0.00] and 0.1 mole of chemical initiator per mole of mercaptan (most preferably between 0.01 and 0.05 of initiator per mole of mercaptan.  
  The ultraviolet light that will catalyze the reaction is that of wave lengths between 1200 and 4000 angstroms. Typical sources producing this type of radiation include sunlight. carbon ares. mercury vapor discharge lamps. fluorescent lamps and the likev High energy radiation doses between 0.01 and I0 megarads administered at a rate between 40.000 rads per hour and 10 megarads per hour will also initiate the reaction. Typical sources of high energy radiation include cobalt-60. cesium-127. electron accelerators. X-ray machines and the like.  
  Cyclization is greatly favored by using a molar excess of diallyl ether or diallyl amine to mercaptan. but cyclization will occur using excess mercaptan. especially with the sulfonamides and diallylamides. A preferred ratio is at least 0.5 moles of diallyl amine or diallyl ether per mole of mercaptan, e.g. between 0.5/1 .0 and 2.0/1.0 or greater.  
  Although not necessary to the invention, the reaction can be conducted in the presence of an inert solvent. Suitable solvents include the lower alcohols, c.g. etha nol, the aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. benzene and the chlorinated hydrocarbons, e.g. carbon tetrachloride.  
  The new compounds of this invention are useful surfaceactive agents, plasticizers for synthetic resins and as stabilizers. For example, they are plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate and various cellulose esters, e.g. cellulose acetate, and cellulose ethcrs. e.g. ethylcellulose. The new compounds formed by reacting the carboxyalkyl mercaptans are useful for stabilizing polyolefins, e.g. polyethylene. In addition, the new compounds of the present invention are biologically active. For example, not only are they entomologically active but they are also herbicides and bacteriocidcs.  
 DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT The amine compounds used as starting materials can be amine salts. Preferred are the hydrohalides and especially the hydrochlorides, e.g. N,N-diallylamine hydrochloride can be used instead of N,N-diallylaminc as a starting material as is demonstrated in Examples 1 and 2.  
 EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 3-(n-dodccylthiomethyl)-4- mcthylpyrrolidine from N,N-diallylamine hydrochloride and n-dodecyl mercaptan A mixture of 67 g. (0.5 m.) of diallylamine hydrochloride in l ml. of t-butyl alcohol was refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere while 75 g. (0.375 m.) of n-dodecyl mercaptan was added over a -minute period. Concurrently, L65 g. (0.01 m.) of azobisisobutyronitrile (hereafter AIBN) was added over a l-hour period.  
  The mixture was heated for an additional 3 hours at 80-85C., the alcohol removed from the mixture at reduced pressure and the remaining mixture diluted with 300 ml. of water. A 10% solution ofNaOH in water was used to neutralize the mixture and the product was removed therefrom by extraction with ethyl ether. After drying with MgSO distillation of the extract gave 53.4 g. of 3-(dodeeylthiomethyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine boiling at l53l63C. at 0.06 mm.  
  This compound was found to be an active herbicide. An aqueous solution containing 5 parts per million of this pyrrolidine was sprayed until run-off occurred on Pig Weed ETCC that was about 4 inches high. After l0-l4 days, the Pig Weed sprayed with the pyrrolidine was killed while a control Pig Weed that was not sprayed remained unaffected.  
 EXAMPLE 2 3-(Butylthiomethyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine from N,N- diallylamine hydrochloride and n-butyl mercaptan A solution of 26.8 g. (0.2 mole) of diallylamine hydrochloride, 18 g. of (0.2 mole) n-butyl mercaptan and 0.32 g. (0.002 mole) of AIBN in 50ml. of butanol was heated at reflux for 2 hours under nitrogen. After stirring at room temperature for two days, the reaction mixture was diluted with 250 ml. of water and extracted with ether. The aqueous layer was then made basic with l()% aqueous sodium hydroxide and the product was extracted with 75 ml. hexane followed by 25 ml. of ethyl ether. The combined extracts were washed&#39;with water and dried over sodium hydroxide pellets. Evaporation of the solvent and distillation gave 29 g. of the desired product, b.p. -l03C./2 mm.  
  This compound is an active bacteriocide. Droplets containing Staphylococcus Aureus were placed on agar which contained parts per million of this pyrrolidine. After suitable incubation and temperature control, it was observed that 100 percent kill of Staphylococcus Aureus was effected while the bacteria flourished in a control experiment wherein the agar contained no bacteriocide.  
 EXAMPLE 3 1,4-Dimethyl-3-(n-dodecylthiomethyl)pyrrolidine from N,N-diallylmethylamine and n-dodeeyl mercaptan To a refluxing solution of 55.5 g. of methyldiallylamine and 1.65 g. (0.01 mole) ofAlBN in ml. of butanol under nitrogen atmosphere, there was added 25 g. of l-dodecanethiol. Then 90 g. (a total of 0.52 mole) of l-dodecanethiol was added dropwise over a period of two hours and reflux was continued for an additional [5 hours. The solvent and unreactcd amine were removed under reduced pressure and the residue was distilled under high vacuum yielding 91.3 g. of the desired product being a light green-brown liquid, b.p. l40-l45C. (0.04 mm.).  
  This compound is entomologically active. When Yellow Fever Mosquito Larvae were placed into an aqueous solution containing 1 part per million of this pyrrolidinc, 100 percent kill was observed within 24 hours. No kill was observed in an aqueous control solution containing no pyrrolidine.  
 EXAMPLE 4 l,4-Dimethyl-3-( n-butylthiomethyl )pyrrolidine from N,N-diallylmethylamine and n-butyl mercaptan 0.56 g. of N,N-diallylmethylamine and 0.45 g. of nbutyl mercaptan were mixed together with 1 ml. of tbutyl alcohol in an 8 mm. glass tube under a nitrogen atmosphere. The tube was sealed and placed in a water bath at 2030C. while being irradiated with a General Electric RS275 sun lamp for 1.5 hours. Analysis showed that the product mixture contained 1,4- dimethyl-3-( n-butylthiomethyl )pyrrolidine.  
  In a test substantially the same as that conducted in Example 2, I00 parts per million of this pyrrolidine killed 100 percent Trichophton Mentagrophytes.  
 EXAMPLE 5 l -Hydroxyethyl-3-( n-butylthiomethyl )-4- mcthylpyrrolidine from N,N-diallyl-2- hydroxyethylamine and n-butyl mercaptan Using the same procedure as Example 2 without nbutyl alcohol and using 0.9 g. of n-butyl mercaptan and L4 g. of N,N-diallyl-2-hydroxyethylamine; lhydroxyethyl-3-(n-butylthiomethyl)-4- methylpyrrolidine was produced. I  
 EXAMPLE 6 1-Acetyl-3-(n-butylthiomethyl)-4-methylpyrrolidine from N.N-diallylacetamide and n-butyl mercaptan A 250 ml. flask equipped with a stirrer. condenser and nitrogen sparge was charged with 97.4 g. (0.7 m.) of N,N-diallylacetamide and 0.7 g. of AlBN under a nitrogen atmosphere and heated to 70C. Fifty ml. (0.446  
 m.) of n-butyl mercaptan was then added over a 75 minute period. The mixture was kept at 70C. for an additional 7 hours and distilled to give about 85 g. of 1-acetyl-3-l n-butylthiomethyl )-4-methylpyrrolidine, b.p. l26C./0.l mm.  
  In a test substantially the same as that conducted in Example 1. 4 parts per million of this pyrrolidine killed 100 percent of Spiny Clotbur.  
 EXAMPLE 7 l-Formyl-3-( n-butylthiomethyl )-4-methylpyrrolidine from N.Ndiallylformamidc and n-butyl mercaptan The procedure described in Example 2 was followed using 87.5 g. (0.7 m.) of N,N-diallylformamide and 50 ml. (0.460 m.) of nbutyl mercaptan to give about 82 g. of 1-formyl-3-( n-butylthiomethyl )-4- methylpyrrolidine, b.p. l25C./0.l5 mm.  
  1n a test substantially the same as that conducted in Example 2. 500 parts per million of this pyrrolidine killed 100 percent of Candida Albricans.  
 EXAM PLE 8 l-Formyl-3-( 2-hydroxyetlrylthiomethyl )-4-methylpyrrolidine from N.N-diallylformamide and 2-mercaptoethanol A solution of 7.8 g. (0.1 mole) of Z-mcrcaptoethanol and 0.15 g. of AlBN in 20 ml. of i-propyl alcohol was heated to 70C. and 12.5 g. (0.1 mole) of diallylformamide added dropwise over a 15 minute period. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue filtered to give 18 g. of nearly colorless liquid which analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance indicated. to contain about 70% by weight of the desired pyrrolidine derivative.  
 EXAMPLE 9 l-Formyl-3-( allylthio )methyl-4-methylpyrrolidine from N,N-diallylformamide and allyl mercaptan A solution of 0.18 g. (0.0025 mole) of allyl mercaptan and 1.56 g. (0.0125 mole) ofN,N-diallylformamide in a sealed glass tube was irradiated for 4 hours with a General Electric RS-275 sun lamp. 507! by weight of the product was the desired pyrrolidine.  
 EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of from thiolactic acid and diallyl ether To a solution of 49 g. (0.5 mole) ofdiallyl ether and 100 cc. of methyl chloroform at 8590C. was added slowly in minutes a solution of-53 g. (0.5 mole) of thiolaetic acid (HSCH(CH;;)CO H) and 0.82 g. (0.005 mole) of AIBN. The reaction mixture was heated at 8590C. for an additional 4 /2 hours.  
  The reaction mixture was then heated to 140C. at reduced pressure (0.02 mm.). 9 g. of volatiles was collected and 85.5 g. ofresiduc remained. The residue was shown to contain 76% of the desired product.  
 EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of from N.N-diallylformamide and isooetyl B-mercaptopropionate A solution of 109 g. (0.5 mole) of isooetyl ,B-mercaptopropionate and 0.82 g. (0.005 mole) of AIBN was added slowly in 30 minutes to 62.5 g. (0.5 mole) of N,N-diallylformamidc at 80l00C. The reaction mixture was heated for an additional 1 hour at 90C. The reaction mixture was then heated to 200C. at reduced pressure (0.05 mm.). A small amount (3.5 g.) of volatiles was collected leaving behind 168 g. of residue. An infrared spectrum of the residue was consistent with the desired product. A portion of the residue (31.5 g.) was distilled and 21.5 g. (b.p. 200C./0.5 mm.) of the desired product was obtained.  
 EXAMPLE l2 l-Methancsulfonyl-3-( butylthio )methyl-4-methylpyrrolidine from N.N-diallylmethanesulfonamide and n-butyl mercaptan A solution of 10 g. (0.056 mole) of N,N-diallylmethanesulfonamide, 20 ml. of benzene. and 0.08 g. of AlBN was heated to 70C. and 10 g. (0.112 mole) of n-butyl mercaptan added dropwise during one hour. The mixture was heated an additional two hours and the solvent and excess butyl mercaptan removed under reduced pressure. Analysis of the colorless. viscous liquid indicated it to be predominantly the desired product.  
  In a similar manner, l-formyl-3-(phenylthio) methyl-4-methylpyrrolidine was formed from N.N-diallylformamide and thiophenol although the conversion was only about 2025&#34;/(. N,N-diallylbenzcnesulfonamide reacted readily with Z-phenylethanethiol to give l-benzenesulfony|-3-( 2phenylethylthiomethyl )-4- methyl-pyrrolidine.  
  In general. the pyrrolidine derivatives which do not contain an N-acyl or N-sultonyl group are colorless to light yellow liquids with amine-like odors. The products are generally insoluble in water, but readily soluble in aqueous solutions of organic or mineral acids. The salts of those pyrrolidines derived from thiols having from about 10-16 carbons with organic acids such as formic R- S- CH 2 methyl 3 n-octadecyl ll isobutyl s2 5 H-(CH -)i2O-C(-CH 6 phenethyl 7 p-dodecylphenethyl &#39;8 m-bromobenzyl 9 o-chlorophenyl l l-hydroxy-n-butyl 12 ethyl l3 &#39;phenyl 1 n-propyl n-propyl 17 methyl &#39;0 18 ca ol-c21 19 ethyl 20 n-hexyl 22 phen-n-butyl 23 n-octyl N-methyl N-n-hxyl N-allyl o 0 :5 o g N-phenyl N-SO -phenyl N-chloroethyl N- (Cd -CH 8 TABLE- Continued lie- 3 5 2h allyl &#39;mi 25 H N-hexenyl 06 H II GHQ- 0:1 27 phenyl N-hydroxyethyl 28 methyl nitroethyl 29 ethyl O 30 H N-phenethyl We claim:  
 I. A compound having the formula R S CHZU CH wherein R is H, alkyl having up to eighteen carbon atoms. carboxyalkyl of the type (CH ),,COOR- where R is H or alkyl having up to I2 carbon atoms and n is l 4. allyl, phenyl, phcnalkyl having up to sixteen carbon atoms, or a haloor hydroxy-suhstituted group of the foregoing types.  
  2. A compound as defined in claim 1 wherein R is H or alkyl having up to l8 carbon atoms.  
  3. A compound as defined in claim 2 wherein R is alkyl having up to 12 carbon atoms.  
  4. A process for making a compound as defined in claim 1 comprising reacting by contacting. under free radical initiating conditions, an allyl compound having the formula CH. ,=CHCH OCH- ,CH=CH with a mercaptan having the formula RSH where R is as defined in claim 1. and separating the desired product.  
  5. A process as defined in claim 4 wherein the molar ratio of allyl compound to mercaptan is at least 0.5/1 .0. l  
 UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE @ETHQATE w mEcTrN PATENT NO. 75, 187  
 DATED April 1, 1975 INVENTOR(5) R. A. Hickner, C. J Bredeweg and R. A. Plepys It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:  
 On the Title Page, column 1, in the title after &#34;-4-METHYL&#34; insert --TETRAHYDROFURANS;  
 Column 1, line 8, delete &#34;(CH =CH-CH Column 1, line 27, delete &#34;-CH COOR and insert [SEAL] A ties r:  
 RUTH C. QSON i. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnml&#39;ssinncr nj&#39;lale&#39;nls and Tradomurkx