LETTER	Synlett 2006: 0709-0712   DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-933109
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Efficient and Highly Selective Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides in the Presence of an Ionic Liquid Containing Hypervalent Iodine
Weixing Qian*, Lin Pei
Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University (Campus Yuquan), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310028, P. R. of China e-Mail: weixingqian@zju.edu.cn;
Received 25 November 2005

Abstract

A mild, efficient, highly selective, and environmentally friendly oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with a recyclable ion-supported hypervalent iodine reagent has been developed. This reaction is tolerant of hydroxyl, nitrile, methoxy, carbon-carbon double bonds, and ester functionalities. Aliphatic and aromatic sulfides are selectively oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides at room temperature in excellent yields.

Key words

hypervalent iodine reagent - sulfides - sulfoxides - oxidation - ionic liquids