First catalytic application of metal complexes of porpholactone and dihydroxychlorin in the sulfoxidation reaction

Iron and manganese complexes meso-tetraphenylporpholactone, MTPPLX, and meso-tetraphenyl-2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-chiorin, MTPP(OH)(2)X (X = Cl and (CH3COO)), are efficient catalysts for selective oxidation of sulfides with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of catalyst concentration on the conversion, selectivity and yield of products were studied. The results show that iron and manganese porpholactones and chlorins are a slightly better catalyst than TPP analogues for most sulfide substrates. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.