Highly selective and efficient oxidation of sulfides with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by a chromium substituted Keggin type polyoxometalate

The catalytic oxidation of sulfides into the corresponding sulfones by a chromium substituted Keggin type polyoxometalate, (TBA)₄[PW₁₁CrO₃₉]·3H₂O, was achieved using mild reaction conditions. Excellent yields were obtained using four equivalents of 30% H₂O₂. Under these reaction conditions, the sulfide group was highly reactive and other functional groups such as hydroxyl or a double bond were unaffected. Using a commercially available, eco-friendly, and cheap oxidant, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, practicality, short reaction times, high to excellent yields, and excellent chemoselectivity are some of the advantages of this catalytic system.