Phase Transfer Controlled Selective Oxidation of Diarylsulfides to Diarylsulfoxides Using Potassium Hydrogen Persulfate

Abstract

The use of biphasic reaction conditions and a phase transfer catalyst controls the oxidation reaction of potassium hydrogen persulfate with diarylsulfides yielding predominately sulfoxides. This is in contrast to the reaction in polar solvents where sulfones are the major products.