Polymeric ionic liquid nanogel-anchored tungstate anions: a robust catalytic system for oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides†
Abstract
A new heterogeneous catalytic system was prepared by immobilization of tungstate ions on a cross-linked poly(ionic liquid) nanogel. The solid nanogel was easily synthesized by a surfactant-less method. The resulting catalyst was highly active in selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides by H2O2. The oxidation reactions were successfully performed under solvent-free conditions affording high yields. The catalyst was recycled and reused for several reaction cycles without any significant loss of catalytic activity.