Bi <inf>2</inf>O <inf>3</inf> catalyzed asymmetric oxidation of sulfides

Bismuth based catalytic system for the asymmetric oxidation of alkyl and aryl benzyl sulfides using t-BuOOH as the oxidant has been investigated. This method affords sulfoxides with high enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) and good yields in reasonable time. The over oxidized product namely the sulfone was not observed. The described method has wide range of applications, exhibits chemoselectivity/enantioselectivity, and proceeds under mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.