Catalytic oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxide using manganese(III) complexes with bidentate O,N-donor oxazoline ligand and UHP oxidizing agent

The efficient catalytic systems were investigated for the oxidation of various sulfide by manganese(III)–oxazoline complexes, [Mn(phox)2(MeOH)2]ClO4 and Mn(phox)3 (Hphox = 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)oxazoline). These complexes were found efficient catalysts for the oxidation of sulfides with urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) in short reaction times (5 min) and under mild condition. Sulfoxides were obtained as the main products together with variable amounts of sulfones. The efficiency of the catalytic system was strongly influenced by the nature of solvents and axial ligands so the best yields were achieved in a mixture of methanol: dichloromethane and in the presence of imidazole as co-catalyst.