HbA/H2O2: an efficient biomimetic catalytic system for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

Human hemoglobin (HbA) catalyzed chemo-selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides has been reported using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in a phosphate buffer. This biomimetic catalytic procedure was found to be simple, environmentally friendly, selective, and high yielding. Purified human oxyhemoglobin (HbA₀), crude human oxyhemoglobin, and ferryl oxyhemoglobin were used for sulfoxidation. HbA₀ and ferryl oxyhemoglobin (Fe⁺⁴O) efficiently catalyze the sulfoxidation reaction without over oxidation to the sulfone.