N-phenyltriazolinedione as an efficient, selective, and reusable reagent for the oxidation of thiols to disulfides

N-Phenyltriazolinedione is an efficient and chemoselective reagent for the oxidation of thiols to their corresponding symmetrical disulfides. The method is applicable to aromatic, aliphatic, and bi-functional thiols. The one-pot reaction takes a few minutes (in most cases studied) for completion and after a simple work-up affords the corresponding symmetrical disulfides in very good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the reaction could be performed with the same results in the absence of solvent for liquid thiols. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.