Gold(III) catalyzed oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with hydrogen peroxide

Au(III) catalyzed oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with 30% hydrogen peroxide in good yields and chemoselectivities was developed. It was shown that the catalyst loading can be decreased to 0.01 mol% with the good activity and chemoselectivity. Meanwhile, the catalyst was stable in the reaction system, which can be reused at least six cycles with similar activity and chemo selectivity. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.