Silver Nitrate Catalyzed Oxidation of Sulfides

A variety of sulfides were converted into the corresponding sulfoxide derivatives with 70% tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water as the oxidant in the presence of catalytic quantity of silver nitrate. The method described has a wide range of application, does not involve cumbersome workup, exhibits chemoselectivity, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and the resulting products are obtained in good yields within a reasonable time.