Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of sulfides

A variety of sulfides and disulfides were converted into the corresponding sulfoxide derivatives with 70% t-BuOOH (water) as the oxidant in the presence of catalytic quantity of CuBr2. The method described does not involve cumbersome work-up, has wide range of applicabilities, exhibits chemoselectivity, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, and the resulting products are obtained in good yields within reasonable time.