[barcrphd]

i want to convert an aliphatic alcohol to thiol. is there a direct reaction which can achieve this?
thanks in anticipation

[Albert]

I don't think there's a direct reaction.

You should begin with a halogenation of the alcohol. Then, you carry out an SN2 reaction with H2S in basic conditions (KOH).

[Borek]

Vogel lists either R-Br + NaSH or R-Br + NH2-CS-NH2 (thiourea) followed by hydrolyzis. The second reaction goes also as ROH + thiourea in concentrated HBr, without a need for RBr.

[Albert]

Vogel lists either R-Br + NaSH

Yes, this is exactly the one I proposed.

[barcrphd]

Vogel lists either R-Br + NaSH or R-Br + NH2-CS-NH2 (thiourea) followed by hydrolyzis. The second reaction goes also as ROH + thiourea in concentrated HBr, without a need for RBr.

thanks a lot borek for the help. do you have any ref with you for the above reaction?

[Borek]

Vogel handbook for organic synthesis (or something similar, I have only Polish translation and it is three rooms from me ATM )

You should be able to Google it in less then a minute.