Sulfoxide

A sulfoxide is a chemical compound containing a sulfinyl (SO) functional group attached to two carbon atoms. It is a polar functional group. Sulfoxides are the oxidized derivatives of sulfides. Examples of important sulfoxides are alliin, a precursor to the compound that gives freshly crushed garlic its aroma, and DMSO, a common solvent.

Sulfoxides feature a pyramidal sulfur center with relatively short S-O distances. In DMSO, the S-O distance is 1.531 Å.

Sulfoxides are generally represented with the structural formula R–S(=O)–R', where R and R' are organic groups. The bond between the sulfur and oxygen atoms is intermediate of a dative bond and a polarized double bond. The S–O interaction has an electrostatic aspect, resulting in significant dipolar character, with negative charge centered on oxygen. A lone pair of electrons resides on the sulfur atom giving it tetrahedral electron pair geometry and trigonal pyramidal shape (steric number 4 with one lone pair; see VSEPR theory). When the two organic residues are dissimilar, the sulfur is a chiral center, for example, methylphenylsulfoxide.

The energy required to invert this stereocenter is sufficiently high that sulfoxides are optically stable, that is, the rate of racemization is slow at room temperature.

Sulfoxides are typically prepared by oxidation of sulfides. A typical oxidant is hydrogen peroxide. Oxidation of thioanisole can be effected with periodate. In these oxidations, care is required to avoid over oxidation to the sulfone. Dimethyl sulfide is oxidized to dimethyl sulfoxide and then to dimethyl sulfone. Unsymmetrical sulfides are prochiral, thus their oxidation gives chiral sulfoxides. Certain reagents or catalysts effect enantioselective oxidations.

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