Triarylamine mediated desulfurization of S-arylthiobenzoates and a tosylhydrazone derivative

Triarylamine [(2,4-Br2C6H3)3N] mediated anodic desulfurization of S-phenyl thiobenzoate and its derivatives in the presence of methanol and N-methyl-p-toluenesulfonamide was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Their preparative electrocatalytic reaction gave the corresponding methyl ester and amide, respectively, in moderate to good yields. Furthermore, triarylamine mediated anodic oxidation of tosylhydrazone of S-p-methoxyphenyl thiobenzoate provided benzonitrile in excellent yield.