HbA/H2O2: an efficient biomimetic catalytic system for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

Human hemoglobin (HbA) catalyzed chemo-selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides has been reported using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in a phosphate buffer. This biomimetic catalytic procedure was found to be simple, environmentally friendly, selective, and high yielding. Purified human oxyhemoglobin (HbA0), crude human oxyhemoglobin, and ferryl oxyhemoglobin were used for sulfoxidation. HbA0 and ferryl oxyhemoglobin (Fe+4O) efficiently catalyze the sulfoxidation reaction without over oxidation to the sulfone.