Generation and characterization of the phenylthiyl radical and its oxidation to the phenylthiylperoxy and phenylsulfonyl radicals.

The phenylthiyl radical (1) was prepared in the gas phase by vacuum flash pyrolysis of allylphenyl sulfide or diphenyl sulfide and isolated in an argon matrix. The hitherto unknown phenylthiyl peroxy radical was synthesized by co-condensation of 1 with molecular oxygen. Irradiation with light of λ = 465 nm led to a rearrangement to the novel phenylsulfonyl radical.