Answer to Question #27073 in Inorganic Chemistry for farzaneh hamedi

Question

Hello.I have synthesed an imidazolil ring that on this ring I have 2 aryle groups.one of them is aldehydel and the other is methyl sulfid.in which way I can change sulfid to sulfonyl group(oxidation)without influencing on aldehyde group?(I need something that speacially oxid ONLY sulfide)if you can help me and introduce somethin that can do this reaction,I will be so thankfull

Answer 1

Under the effect of mild oxidant (hydrogen peroxide in acetone or glacial acetic acid, peracids) sulfides are oxidized to sulfoxides:
CH₃SH + H₂O₂ CH₃SOH
the action of energetic oxidants (potassium permanganate, nitric acid) oxidation is to sulfones:
CH₃SOH + H₂O₂ CH₃SO₂H
These reactions are used as a preparative method for the synthesis of sulfoxides and sulfones. In your case, you can try to oxidize 60% peroxide in acetone. Imidasol ring stand, and the aldehyde group will remain intact.