Vanadium sites in V-K10: Characterization and catalytic properties in liquid-phase sulfide oxidation

V-K10 presents both monomeric and dimeric species, that can be reversibly transformed between V4+ and V5+ states. The species in the highest oxidation state were found to be the catalytic sites for sulfide oxidation with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP), affording excellent sulfoxide selectivity. With chiral modifiers, V-K10 leads to enantioselectivities in the range of 9-11% ee.