Metal‐Free Chemoselective Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides by Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by <i>in situ</i> Generated Dodecyl Hydrogen Sulfate in the Absence of Organic Co‐Solvents

Abstract

Abstract The mild oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with an aqueous solution of H 2 O 2 (35%) catalyzed by in situ generated dodecyl hydrogen sulfate as Brønsted acid surfactant in the absence of any organic co‐solvents and under metal‐free conditions is described. The method shows high chemoselectivity and the process is highly green for solid sulfoxides which crystallize out immediately after their formation from the reaction mixture. Liquid sulfoxides can be isolated under high vacuum by bulb‐to‐bulb distillation or by extraction with Et 2 O or EtOAc. Yields of the products are excellent.