Chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using a novel Zn-DABCO functionalized Fe3O4 MNPs as highly effective nanomagnetic catalyst

In the present study, Zn–DABCO@Fe3O4 with a high surface area and readily was synthesized. The morphology, particle size distribution, and phase analysis of the Zn–DABCO@Fe3O4 nanopowders were characterized using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The prepared Zn–DABCO@Fe3O4 nanoparticle was utilized as efficient catalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using 30% H2O2 as oxidant. The products were achieved with good to excellent yields at room temperature with no over-oxidation of sulfoxides and disulfides to unexpected by-products. This catalyst can be magnetically recovered by applying an external magnet and reused for eight continuous cycles in both oxidation reactions without a notable loss in its catalytic activity. Furthermore, the oxidation of various sulfides was highly chemoselective, but O,O-acetals remained intact under the described reaction conditions.