Sulfoxide and Sulfone Synthesis via Electrochemical Oxidation of Sulfides

The oxidation of diaryl sulfides and aryl alkyl sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones under electrochemical conditions is reported. Sulfoxides are selectively obtained in good yield under a constant current of 5 mA for 10 h in DMF, while sulfones are formed as the major product under a constant current of 10 or 20 mA for 10 h in MeOH. The oxygen of both the sulfoxide and sulfone function is derived from water.

Automated summary

The oxidation of diaryl sulfides and aryl alkyl sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones under electrochemical conditions was studied. Sulfoxides were selectively obtained in DMF with a constant current of 5 mA for 10 hours, while sulfones were the major products in MeOH with a constant current of 10 or 20 mA for 10 hours. The oxygen in both sulfoxides and sulfones is derived from water.