Green Aerobic Oxidation of Thiols to Disulfides by Flavin-Iodine Coupled Organocatalysis

Coupled catalysis using a riboflavin-derived organocatalyst and molecular iodine successfully promoted the aerobic oxidation of thiols to disulfides under metal-free mild conditions. The activation of molecular oxygen occurred smoothly at room temperature through the transfer of electrons from the iodine catalyst to the biomimetic flavin catalyst, forming the basis for a green oxidative synthesis of disulfides from thiols.

Automated summary

Coupled catalysis using a riboflavin-derived organocatalyst and molecular iodine facilitated the aerobic oxidation of thiols to disulfides under metal-free mild conditions. The activation of molecular oxygen at room temperature through electron transfer between the iodine catalyst and biomimetic flavin catalyst enabled a green oxidative synthesis of disulfides from thiols.