Electrooxidative S-Sulfoximination of Sulfenamide: A Metal-/Catalyst-Free Green Approach

Herein, we present a metal-/catalyst-free, novel approach for S-sulfoximination of sulfenamide. The electrooxidative reactions of sulfenamides and sulfoximines are fast, high-yielding, atom-economical (99.5%), broad-substrate-tolerant, and free from supporting electrolytes. The protocol is ecofriendly and shows wider substrate tolerance than previous reports. The drug-attached sulfenamide (levetiracetam) and sulfoximine (albendazole) also undergo the reaction efficiently. A possible mechanistic pathway is proposed. Fascinatingly, the target products are also obtained via a photochemical approach in the presence of photocatalyst eosin Y.