A recyclable fluorous thiourea organocatalyst for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides

As a kind of organocatalyst, 1-[4-(perfluorooctyl)phenyl]-3-phenylthiourea was employed to the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides in the presence of 30% H2O2. A variety of diaryl, dialkyl, alkyl aryl sulfides could be oxidized to sulfoxide under the mild condition. The catalyst could be easily recovered by fluorous solid-phase extraction for reuse.

As a kind of organocatalyst, 1-[4-(perfluorooctyl)phenyl]-3-phenylthiourea was employed to the chemoselective oxidation of sulfides in the presence of 30% H2O2. A variety of diaryl, dialkyl, alkyl aryl sulfides could be oxidized to sulfoxide under the mild condition. The catalyst could be easily recovered by fluorous solid-phase extraction for reuse.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The sulfoxides could be oxidized selectively in moderate to good yields under the mild condition.
► The oxidative system of 30% H2O2 was more eco-friendly than other metal-based oxidative systems.
► Organocatalytic system based on thiourea derivative is of low cost and low toxicity compared with some traditional metal-based catalysts.
► Fluorous thiourea-based organocatalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixtures by fluorous solid phase extraction for direct reuse.