Abstract
Ammonium molybdate, (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O, is found to be an efficient and selective catalyst for the oxidation of thiols to corresponding disulfides using potassium bromate in aqueous acetonitrile as the solvent. Among various solvents tested, CH3CN/H2O showed better results in terms of the reaction yield and rate. In the absence of (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O, the oxidation reaction is not selective for the formation of disulfides. The catalyst can be easily recovered after completion of the reaction and reused without any significant loss of its activity.
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GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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Acknowledgments
Support of this investigation by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad is gratefully acknowledged.