Oxidation of aromatic sulfides photosensitized by TiO2 in CH3CN in the presence of Ag2SO4: the role of TiO2 in the chemistry of sulfide radical cations

A novel method for the photooxidation of benzyl phenyl sulfide, 4-methoxy-benzyl phenyl sulfide and phenethyl phenyl sulfide was developed based on the TiO2-catalyzed reactions in the presence of Ag2SO4. The synthetic process was characterized by the formation of sulfoxides from the TiO2-induced photochemical oxidation of sulfides. Furthermore, the oxidation process involved the interaction of the oxygenated centers with the sulfur atom of the adsorbed radical cation.