Selective oxidation of aromatic and aliphatic sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxide was achieved by using POCl3/H2O2 and (alumina-supported phosphorus oxychloride)/H2O2. A versatile procedure for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides without any over-oxidation to sulfones has been reported. It is noteworthy that the reaction is clean and tolerates oxidatively sensitive functional groups and the sulfur atom is selectively oxidized.
