Aluminum(III) Chloride Promoted Oxygen Transfer: Selective
Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides
Keyword(s):
An efficient selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides has been developed by means of AlCl3-promoted oxygen transfer from phenyliodine diacetate [PhI(OAc)2]. AlCl3 proved to be the optimal Lewis acid for the activation of PhI(OAc)2. Various substituted sulfides were selectively transformed into the corresponding sulfoxides in good to excellent yields (≤99%). The high efficiency, excellent functional-group compatibility, broad substrate scope, and mild conditions render the current transformation useful for the synthesis of sulfoxides.