Application of 1,4-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane ditribromide [bMImB]·(Br3)2 ionic liquid reagent for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

Abstract

1,4-Bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane ditribromide [bMImB]·(Br₃)₂ as an efficient reagent is used for the selective oxidation of dialkyl and alkyl aryl sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides in high yields under mild conditions. The products can easily be isolated by just washing the highly water soluble 1,4-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane ditribromide [bMImB]·(Br₃)₂. The spent reagent can be recovered several times and reused without any significant loss.