Oxidative S-Dealkylation Reaction of Sulfide Catalyzed by Co(II)(bzacen)

In the oxygenation reaction of alkyl sulfides with Co(II)(bzacen)–O2 system, oxidative S–C bond cleavage (S-dealkylation) was found to take place exclusively. The reactivity of S-dealkylation reaction was dependent markedly on both acidity of α-methylene and steric hindrance of alkyl sulfide. The peroxo-Co(III) species is presumed to be the intermediate in this S-dealkylation reaction.