SYNTHESIS OF SULFOXIDES BY THE OXIDATION OF SULFIDES WITH SODIUM-CHLORITE CATALYZED BY MANGANESE(III) ACETYLACETONATE IN ACETONE IN THE PRESENCE OF ALUMINA

Systematic oxidations of sulfides with sodium chlorite have been inves tigated in aprotic solvents under mild and neutral conditions, Metal c atalysis is essential for the efficient oxidation,and conversion of a wide variety of diaryl, alkyl aryl, dialkyl and cyclic sulfides into t he corresponding sulfoxides can be favoured by the catalytic presence of manganese(III) acetylacetonate in acetone with the aid of moist alu mina in general or dry alumina in particular cases in a rapid, high-yi elding manner. This simple procedure has also been found to be an easy method for chemoselective transformation of functionalised sulfides w ithout extensive undesirable side-reactions.