Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic activity of a novel Mo(VI)–oxazoline complex in highly efficient oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides by urea hydrogen peroxide

Novel molybdenum complex, cis-[MoO2(phox)2] has been synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, elemental analyses (CHN), and X-ray molecular structure determination methods. This complex was found to be an efficient, selective catalyst for the oxidation of various sulfides to sulfoxides with urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) in excellent yields (100% for diallylsulfide) and short reaction times (20 min) at room temperature. The catalytic system oxidizes diallylsulfide chemoselectively to its corresponding sulfoxide without any over oxidation in double bond.

Graphical abstractA Mo–oxazoline complex has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. This complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for the highly selective oxidation of various sulfides to sulfoxides (94–100%) with urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) in good to excellent yields (62–100%) and short reaction times (20 min) at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide