Ti(iv)-amino triphenolate complexes as effective catalysts for sulfoxidation

C(3)-symmetric Ti(IV) amino triphenolate complexes efficiently catalyze, without previous activation and in excellent yields, the oxidation of sulfides at room temperature, using both CHP and the more environment friendly aqueous hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidants, with catalyst loadings down to 0.01%. The Ti(IV) catalysts and the intermediate Ti(IV)-peroxo complexes have been characterized in solution by (1)H NMR and ESI-MS techniques and via density functional studies.