So, ning thought the chinese willgerodt synthesis patent sounded very nice. Combined with calcium acetate method, it could produce P2P in an OTC way in very large quantities. However, there is a certain matter to be dealt with. And that is the large amounts of H2S evolved by that reaction.
What is needed is an efficient way to absorb/destroy H2S in fairly large quantities.
Any suggestions? One was to use strong NaOH solution. This would produce NaSH and Na2S, which are useful for other things. Perhaps cheaper, lime might be used , to produce CaS. Would this work? Is there a better way?
Ning wonders if the hydrolysis step could be base catalyzed instead of acid catalyzed, to eliminate the release of the H2S in the first place. Hive minds, what say ye?
EDIT:
Oh, it seems that such a hydrolysis is very possible! They do it in https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/willgerodt.ptc.html (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/willgerodt.ptc.html)
Nice! No more H2S!
So you're saying that when the formed thioamide is hydrolyzed, it will react with the excess of sulfur and ammonia present in the mixture to form polysulfides?
Here: https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/willgerodt.html (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/willgerodt.html)
the equation states H2S is formed on hydrolytic workup.
I sure hope you're right!