Poly(4-vinylpyridinium tribromide) as metal-free, green and recoverable oxidizing polymer for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides

Poly(4-vinylpyridinium tribromide) was prepared from poly(4-vinylpyridin) and used for the selective oxidation of a variety of sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides. The oxidation reaction was carried out heterogeneously in acetone/water, as green solvent, at room temperature.