Selective and efficient oxidation of sulfides and thiols with a 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine/Br₂ complex

Abstract

The 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine/Br₂ complex has been found to be an efficient reagent for the selective oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides and the oxidative coupling of thiols to disulfides. 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine can be recovered at the completion of the reaction and reused.

Keywords:

• 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine/Br₂ complex
• Oxidation
• Sulfide
• Thiol

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Council of Shahid Beheshti University. We also thank professor Donald G. Lee, University of Regina, Canada, for his helpful comments.