Catalytic Sulfoxidation Reactions of 1,3-Bis(para-Tolyl Sulfide)-5-Tert-Butylbenzene Using Decavanadate Derivatives

Catalytic sulfoxidation of 1,3-bis(para-tolyl sulfide)-5-tert-butylbenzene in order to obtain sulfones and sulfoxides, was carried out using three decavanadate (V10O28)6- containing catalysts. Reaction conditions were varied to evaluate different parameters of the process; the tested procedures followed the guidelines of green chemistry. To align with these principles, reaction parameters were optimized at room temperature using environmentally benign solvents, including methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol, water, and ethylene glycol, as well as their mixtures with toluene. In this study we present a fast and environmentally friendly procedure to obtain sulfonyl and sulfinyl containing compounds through sulfoxidation of bis-thioether 1,3-bis(para-tolyl sulfide)-5-tert-butylbenzene.