Sulfide oxidation with H 2O 2 catalyzed by manganese complex of N, N′, N″-tris(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane

Abstract

[MnL](ClO 4) 2 (L = N, N′, N″-tris(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) has been tested for catalyzing sulfide oxidation. In the presence of this complex, ethyl phenyl sulfide, butyl sulfide and phenyl sulfide are completely oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones with H 2O 2 as the oxidant. 2-Chloroethyl phenyl sulfide oxidation yield 2-chloroethyl phenyl sulfone and phenyl vinyl sulfone. In ethyl phenyl sulfide oxidation, effects of complex and H 2O 2 concentration and temperature on the reaction rate have been discussed. Through controlling reaction conditions, ethyl phenyl sulfoxide and ethyl phenyl sulfone may be produced selectively. The UV–Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies on catalyst solution indicate that metal centre of the complex is transformed from Mn(II) to Mn(IV) after the addition of H 2O 2. At 25 °C, rate constant for ethyl phenyl sulfide oxidation is 4.38 × 10 −3 min −1.