Selective Oxidation of Methyl Diphenyl Methyl Mercapto Acetate to Methyl Diphenyl Methyl Sulfinyl Acetate Using a Novel Catalyst UDCaT-3†

…, S Subramanian, HG Manyar

Index: Yadav, Ganapati D.; Subramanian; Manyar, Haresh G. Organic Process Research and Development, 2010 , vol. 14, # 3 p. 537 - 543

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Citation Number: 4

Abstract

The synthesis of modafinil involves oxidation of methyl diphenyl methyl mercapto acetate (MDMMA) selectively to methyl diphenyl methyl sulfinyl acetate (MDMSA). The existing industrial process involves oxidation of the sulfide derivative with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of acetic acid as the solvent. If the temperature is not controlled, this reaction, being exothermic, involves the formation of the sulfone derivative also to some extent. The ...