Controllable and efficient oxidation of thioether by 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in water: semisynthesis of sophocarpine

A metal-free, environment friendly, easy-to-operate, and efficient method for the semisynthesis of sophocarpine from matrine has been developed in an overall yield of 91%. The route features a controllable and efficient oxidation of thioether to sulfoxide by 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in water.