Chemoselective oxidation of organic sulfides catalyzed by Fe(III) complexes

Different iron(III) complexes were used as catalysts in sulfoxidation reactions giving excellent yields and a high chemoselectivity. Among the complexes, the best one was a solid β-cyclodextrin-FeBr3 complex. Sulfoxidation takes place with high chemoselectivity in the presence of other groups such as benzaldehyde, benzylic alcohol, benzylic methylene and benzothiazole.