It was shown that the decolorization of a solution of ethyl thiobenzoylacetate by oxygen can be attributed to a rapid oxidation of the colored thione tautomer, and the return of the color upon removal of oxygen to the slower reestablishment of the equilibrium thione concentration. The equilibrium picture was inferred from infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and from iodimetric titration. The effect of oxygen upon the equilibrium ...
