Oxidation of methyl (methylthio) methyl sulfoxide (2) with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid or methanol produced bis (methylsulfinyl) methane in high yield. Similar results were obtained in oxidation of 2 with ozone, sodium metaperiodate, and m-chloroperbenzoic acid. In contrast, methyl (methylthio) methyl sulfone (4) was exclusively formed when oxidation of 2 with hydrogen peroxide was carried out in methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. ...
