Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides with Oxygen and Sodium Nitrate

Abstract

Sulfoxides are an important functional group in organic chemistry and are commonly synthesized via the oxidation of sulfides (thioethers). Herein, we report a nitrosonium (NO+) ion catalysed oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with oxygen under mild conditions. This method is applicable to both aliphatic and aromatic sulfides and compatible with a broad range of functional groups including N-heterocycles. Mechanistic study suggested the formation of a persulfoxide intermediate, generated from oxygen and sulfide radicals.