The anodic oxidation of 2-(4-nitrophenylthio)ethyl esters in acetonitrile

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of 2-(4-nitrophenylthio)ethyl esters of acetic acid and of an amino acid in acetonitrile has been studied. Oxidation occurs in two steps at different potentials to the corresponding sulphoxide and then sulphone. The oxidation of the acetate ester has been investigated as a function of electrolysis conditions and the maximum yields of sulphoxide and sulphone were 90 and 65%, respectively.