The action of elemental sulfur plus water on 1-octene at low temperatures

We studied the role of elemental sulfur (S₈) in activation of water that lead to the oxidation and sulfurization of organic compounds at relatively low temperatures. Pyrolysis experiments were performed with elemental sulfur, 1-octene and water in the pH range of 8-8.5 at temperatures of 100-130°C. The results presented in this study show that elemental S₈ in water disproportionates under these conditions to form H₂S and SO42-. A variety of sulfurized and oxidized organic compounds formed in parallel during this reaction. Formation of 2-octanone indicates the involvement of hydroxyl radicals in this reaction. This study shows that the action of S₈ on organic compounds (OC) in the presence of water is twofold: water is activated to produce hydroxyl radicals that can oxidize organic compounds and sulfur reacts directly with OC via thiyl radical (HS) to produce organosulfur compounds and H₂S. The findings of the study improve understanding of the reactivity of carbon, oxygen and sulfur in the geosphere under much milder environmental conditions than previously suggested.