Fe3O4/PEG-SO3H as a heterogeneous and magnetically-recyclable nanocatalyst for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfones or sulfoxides

Abstract

We present below a sulfonated-polyethylene glycol-coated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/PEG-SO₃H) as a greatly effective and ecological nanocatalyst for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides or sulfones with brilliant yields under solvent-free conditions by employing 30% hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. A number of sulfides containing alcohol, ester, and aldehyde functional groups were fruitfully and selectively oxidized without altering the desired characteristics. The magnetic nanocatalyst (Fe₃O₄/PEG-SO₃H) can be conveniently and swiftly retrieved through the utilization of an external magnetic tool and recycled for more than 10 reaction runs without significantly decreasing its catalytic behavior.