Efficient and mild swern oxidation using a new sulfoxide and bis(trichloromethyl)carbonate

A new type of sulfoxide, 4-(2-(2-(methylsulfinyl) ethyl)-4-nitrophenyl)- morpholine (I) was designed and prepared in good yield. Upon the combination of I andbis (trichloromethyl)carbonate, the Swern oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols was significantly promoted under mild condition which afford the corresponding aldehydes or ketones in good yields. It's noteworthy that the re-oxidation of the isolated byproduct sulfide V could be further recycled in Swern oxidation.