Abstract: A method of producing polysulfides comprising the step of adding elemental sulphur to an allicin-containing plant extract. In preferred embodiments, the plant extract is mechanically treated members of the genus Allium, especially garlic. In further preferred aspects of the invention, the plant extract and sulphur mixture is heated, and the pH is controlled to allow manipulation of the polysulfide chain length. The addition of organic bases, containing nitrogen lone pairs, allows further control of polysulfide chain length.
Abstract: Diallylic polysulfides (polysulfanes) are provided with sulfur chain lengths of 9 to 22. Also provided are bis(2-methyl-2-propenyl) polysulfides with sulfur chain lengths of 3 to 22. Also provided are 2-substituted bis(2-propenyl) polysulfides with sulfur chain lengths of 3 to 20. Also provided are the 2-cycloalken-1-yl polysulfides, 2-cyclohexen-1-yl polysulfides and 2-cyclopenten-1-yl polysulfides, with sulfur chain lengths of 3 to 20. Also provided are processes for extending the sulfur chain length of diallylic polysulfides and 2-substituted analogues thereof and allyl methyl polysulfides by bringing such compounds into contact with elemental sulfur and heating, or by mixing with molten sulfur.