Abstract A convenient and selective catalytic method for the sulfoxidation of aliphatic and aromatic sulfides by treatment of NH4NO3, silica sulfuric acid, wet SiO2 (50% w/w) and a catalytic amount of KBr in CH2Cl2 at room temperature was developed. Many sulfides can be selectively oxidized at room temperature in good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds without over-oxidation to sulfones under mild conditions.
