Imidazolium perrhenate ionic liquids as efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfones

A series of imidazolium perrhenate ionic liquids (IPILs) have been synthesized and used as efficient catalysts for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfones with aqueous hydrogen peroxide under mild conditions. Various sulfones are obtained in good to excellent yields. IPILs are stable and can be reused at least ten times without detectable activity loss. Furthermore, this system provides a reasonably environmentally benign chemical process in terms of potential industrial application.