An Unexpected Incident with <i>m-</i>CPBA

Abstract

This contribution describes an unexpected incident that occurred during oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide using m- CPBA ( m -chloroperoxybenzoic acid) as oxidant in DMF as a solvent on a pilot-plant scale. Investigation in the incident indicated that initial exotherm by m- CPBA in DMF, followed by formation of m -CBPO ( m -chlorobenzoyl peroxide) in a large amount, led to instability of the system.