Catalytic oxidation of thiols to disulfides using iodine and CeCl3•7H2O in graphite

A very simple procedure for the efficient oxidation of thiols to disulfides catalyzed by I-2/CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O in graphite and ethyl acetate as the solvent, in an open system at room temperature is described. The reaction proceeds cleanly under mild conditions and was performed with aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic thiols. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.