When Was Thiophene Discovered?

Thiophene was discovered by Viktor Meyer in 1883 as a contaminant in benzene. Related to thiophene are benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene, containing the thiophene ring fused with one and two benzene rings, respectively.

Where is thiophene found?

It occurs with benzene in coal tar, from which source it was first isolated in 1883. Today, thiophene is prepared commercially from butane or butene and sulfur or sulfur dioxide. Certain thiophene derivatives occur as plant pigments and other natural products.

How is thiophene made?

i) Thiophene can be synthesized on industrial scale by the high temperature reaction between n- butane and Sulfur. ii) Thiophene can be synthesized by passing a mixture of acetylene and hydrogen sulfide through a tube containing alumina at 400°C. This method is commercially used.