H2O2 in Fluorous Phase and Related Reactions

A highly selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides takes place by 30% aqueous H2O2 in phenol at room temperature [18]. Methyl phenyl sulfide was oxidized to the sulfoxide within 0.5 minutes in 99% yield. No sulfone could be detected. In a control experiment methyl phenyl sulfoxide was allowed to react for 14 h with 30% aqueous H2O2 in phenol at room temperature the sulfoxide was recovered unchanged. 

Entry Substrate Reaction time (min) % Yield of sulfoxide 

A range of sulfides including diphenyl sulfide were oxidized to sulfoxides in high 

The high rates of the H202-based sulfoxidation in hexafluoro-2-propanol and phenol are ascribed to hydrogen-bonded H2O2 (see Chapter 4). 

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