Sulfoxidation

in chemistry, sulfoxidation refers to two distinct reactions.

In one meaning, sulfoxidation refers to the reaction of alkanes with a mixture of sulfur dioxide and oxygen. This reaction is employed industrially to produce alkyl sulfonic acids, which are used as surfactants. The reaction requires UV-radiation.

RH + SO2 + ½ O2 → RSO3H

The reaction favors secondary positions in accord with its free-radical mechanism. Mixtures are produced. Semiconductor-sensitized variants have been reported.

Sulfoxidation can also refer to the oxidation of a thioether to a sulfoxide.

R2S + O → R2SO

A typical source of oxygen is hydrogen peroxide.

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