Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides in water using 30% hydrogen peroxide catalyzed with a recoverable VO(acac)2 exchanged sulfonic acid resin catalyst

Various types of sulfides are selectively oxidized to sulfoxides in good to excellent yields in aqueous media using 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of catalytic amounts of a VO(acac)2-exchanged strongly acidic polymeric resin catalyst in water at room temperature. The catalyst can be recovered and reused at least five times without loss of activity and selectivity.

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