The oxidation of dithiaalkanes has been carried on in a gold (III) catalyzed phase-transfer process. Using a higher concentration of catalyst and oxidant (procedure A) the bis (benzylthio) alkanes Bz-S-(CH2)-S-Bz (Bz= benzyl) were· Oxidized to the corresponding monosulfoxide when n= 1 and to disulfoxide [bis (benzylsulfinyl) alkanes] when n= 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8. In more diluite conditions (procedure B) high yields of monosulfoxides were ...
