Ti(Phen)(OC2H5)2Cl2: a highly efficient pre-catalyst for selective oxidation of organic sulfides to sulfoxides by hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

A newly developed and structurally characterized titanium complex [Ti(Phen)(OC₂H₅)₂Cl₂] (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is reported as a homogeneous pre-catalyst for the selective oxidation of organic sulfides to sulfoxides with a stoichiometric amount of 30% aq. H₂O₂ in CH₃OH at room temperature. This catalytic system showed high yield (95–100%) and good selectivity (92–100%) during the catalytic reaction in a short period of time.