Synthesis of sulfoxides by the oxidation of sulfides with sodium chlorite catalysed by manganese(III) acetylacetonate in acetone in the presence of alumina

Systematic oxidations of sulfides with sodium chlorite have been investigated in aprotic solvents under mild and neutral conditions. Metal catalysis is essential for the efficient oxidation, and conversion of a wide variety of diaryl, alkyl aryl, dialkyl and cyclic sulfides into the corresponding sulfoxides can be favoured by the catalytic presence of manganese(III) acetylacetonate in acetone with the aid of moist alumina in general or dry alumina in particular cases in a rapid, high-yielding manner. This simple procedure has also been found to be an easy method for chemoselective transformation of functionalised sulfides without extensive undesirable side-reactions.