Selective Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides/Sulfones by 30% Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract A selective and efficient procedure for the oxidation of various sulfides with sodium tungstate dihydrate with 30% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of trioctylmethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, respectively, to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones is reported. The oxidation reaction is carried out at –5 to 0 °C in the presence of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrins for sulfoxides or at 50–60 °C for sulfones. The mild reaction conditions, easy workup, and good yields of the products are the major advantages of this method.