Mo(VI)-catalysis of perborate oxidation in acetic acid: Oxidation of dimethyl and dibenzyl sulfoxides

Molybdenum(VI) effectively catalyzes sodium perborate oxidation of dimethyl and dibenzyl sulfoxides to sulfones in glacial acetic acid and the yields are 70% and 85%, respectively. The catalyzed oxidations are zero-order with respect to the oxidant and first-order with respect to Mo(VI) and the sulfoxides. Trichloroacetic acid enhances the oxidations. Glacial acetic acid is the suitable solvent; methanol, ethylene glycol or water suppresses the reactions. The kinetic results reveal dioxoperoxomolybdenum(VI) as the reactive oxidant.