Fe(NO3)3·9H2O-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides under mild conditions with the aid of trifluoroethanol

Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was successfully performed by employing readily available Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the active catalyst with oxygen as the oxidant in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) without the formation of sulfones. Nitrate anion could play a crucial role in promoting the reaction due to the oxidation capacity under acidic media. High yields of sulfoxides were exclusively obtained from the corresponding sulfides. Furthermore, both aromatic and aliphatic sulfides gave moderate to high yields of sulfoxides with this protocol.

Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was successfully performed by employing readily available Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the active catalyst with oxygen as the oxidant in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) without the formation of sulfones. Nitrate anion could play a crucial role in promoting the reaction due to the oxidation capacity in acidic media.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide