Making full use of the oxidizing equivalents in bromate in the selective oxidation of thiols, sulfides, and benzylic/secondary alcohols into disulfides, sulfoxides, and aldehydes/ketones

The oxidation of thiols to disulfides was achieved in high yields with 6:1 mol ratio of thiol to NaBrO<SUB>3</SUB>, while the oxidation of sulfides and benzylic/secondary alcohols to the corresponding sulfoxides and aldehydes/ketones was successfully undertaken with 3:1 mol ratio of substrate to NaBrO<SUB>3</SUB>. These ratios correspond to the minimum theoretical requirement of NaBrO<SUB>3</SUB>. The reactions were conducted at 0-30°C, depending upon substrate, and were initiated with catalytic amounts of H<SUP>+</SUP> and Br<SUP>−</SUP> (initial Br<SUP>−</SUP>/BrO<SUB>3</SUB><SUP>−</SUP> = 1:3.5 for thiol oxidation and 1:8 for sulfide and alcohol oxidation). Further, regeneration and reuse of the spent reagent in the aqueous effluent was demonstrated