Oxidation of Sulfides with Pyridinium Tribromide in the Presence of Hydrated Silica Gel

Abstract

A variety of sulfides have been oxidized to sulfoxides utilizing pyridinium tribromide in the presence of hydrated silica gel in a non‐aqueous media. A combination of pyridinium tribromide and hydrated silica gel releases molecular bromine slowly in the reaction, affecting the oxidation. Hydrated silica gel also promotes decomposition of the bromosulfonium intermediate to the product. This procedure employs non‐aqueous media for the first time in such a reaction.

Keywords:

• Oxidation
• pyridinium tribromide
• silica gel
• sulfide
• sulfoxide

Acknowledgment

M. H. A. expresses his gratitude to Bjorn Olesen for help during the preparation of this manuscript.