The invention discloses a preparation method for selectively oxidizing
thioether into
sulfoxide through photo-
initiation, and belongs to the field of synthesis of medical compounds. The preparation method comprises the following steps that in the
air atmosphere, a
thioether compound is dissolved in an
acetonitrile-water mixed
solvent, inorganic
metal salt catalysts such as
ferric chloride and
copper sulfate are added, the mixture reacts for 8-48 h at the temperature of 0-45 DEG C under illumination with the
wavelength of 295-405 nm, selective oxidation is carried out, and the
sulfoxide product is obtained, and the
molar ratio of
thioether to the catalysts is 5: 1. The method overcomes the problems of excessive oxidation risk, complicated operation, environmental
pollution and the like caused by dependence of a
noble metal catalyst and use of a strong oxidant in the existing thioether oxidation method, has the advantages of high
catalytic efficiency, high yield and excellent selectivity, can greatly reduce the production cost, is suitable for later industrial synthesis and amplification, and has wide application prospects. The method has the advantages of no expensive
metal catalyst or oxidant, simple preparation process, high efficiency,
environmental protection, safety and cost saving.