Sulfoxide

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Sulfoxide group Sulfoxide-tetrahedral.svg
Sulfoxide group

In organic chemistry, a sulfoxide, also called a sulphoxide, is an organosulfur compound containing a sulfinyl (>SO) functional group attached to two carbon atoms. It is a polar functional group. Sulfoxides are oxidized derivatives of sulfides. Examples of important sulfoxides are alliin, a precursor to the compound that gives freshly crushed garlic its aroma, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a common solvent. [1]

Contents

Structure and bonding

Structure of DMSO (red = O, yellow = S) as determined by X-ray crystallography of PdBr2(bipy)*DMSO. ATATUL.png
Structure of DMSO (red = O, yellow = S) as determined by X-ray crystallography of PdBr2(bipy)·DMSO.

Sulfoxides feature relatively short S–O distances. In DMSO, the S–O distance is 1.531 Å. The sulfur center is pyramidal; the sum of the angles at sulfur is about 306°. [3] 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. [4] The double-bond resonance form implies 10 electrons around sulfur (10-S-3 in N-X-L notation). The double-bond character of the S−O bond may be accounted for by donation of electron density into C−S antibonding orbitals ("no-bond" resonance forms in valence-bond language). Nevertheless, due to its simplicity and lack of ambiguity, the IUPAC recommends use of the expanded octet double-bond structure to depict sulfoxides, rather than the dipolar structure or structures that invoke "no-bond" resonance contributors. [5] The S–O interaction has an electrostatic aspect, resulting in significant dipolar character, with negative charge centered on oxygen.

Chirality

Enantiomers of methyl phenyl sulfoxide. PhS(O)Me.svg
Enantiomers of methyl phenyl sulfoxide.

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 atom is a chiral center, for example, in methyl phenyl sulfoxide. The energy barrier required to invert this stereocenter is sufficiently high that sulfoxides are optically stable near room temperature. That is, the rate of racemization is slow at room temperature. The enthalpy of activation for racemization is in the range 35 - 42 kcal/mol and the corresponding entropy of activation is -8 - +4 cal/mol-K. The barriers are lower for allylic and benzylic substituents. [6]

Preparation

Sulfoxides are typically prepared by oxidation of sulfides, sometimes referred to as sulfoxidation. [7] hydrogen peroxide is a typical oxidant, but periodate has also been used. [8] In these oxidations, care is required to avoid over oxidation to form the sulfone. For example, dimethyl sulfide is oxidized to dimethyl sulfoxide and then further to dimethyl sulfone. Unsymmetrical sulfides are prochiral, thus their oxidation gives chiral sulfoxides. This process can be performed enantioselectively. [9] [10]

Aryl sulfoxides

In addition to the oxidation routes, diaryl sulfoxides can be prepared by two Friedel–Crafts arylations of sulfur dioxide using an acid catalyst:

2 ArH + SO2 → Ar2SO + H2O

Both aryl sulfinyl chlorides and diaryl sulfoxides can be also prepared from arenes through reaction with thionyl chloride in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts such as BiCl3, Bi(OTf)3, LiClO4, or NaClO4. [11] [12]

Reactions

Deoxygenation and oxygenation

Sulfoxides undergo deoxygenation to give sulfides. Typically metal complexes are used to catalyze the reaction, using hydrosilanes as the stoichiometric reductant. [13] The deoxygenation of dimethylsulfoxide is catalyzed by DMSO reductase, a molybdoenzyme: [14]

OSMe2 + 2 e + 2 H+ → SMe2 + H2O

Acid-base reactions

The α-CH groups of alkyl sulfoxides are susceptible to deprotonation by strong bases, such as sodium hydride: [15]

CH3S(O)CH3 + NaH → CH3S(O)CH2Na + H2

In the Pummerer rearrangement, alkyl sulfoxides react with acetic anhydride to give migration of the oxygen from sulfur to the adjacent carbon as an acetate ester. The first step of the reaction sequence involves the sulfoxide oxygen acting as a nucleophile:

Pummerer Rearrangement V.1.svg

Elimination reactions

Sulfoxide undergo thermal elimination via an Ei mechanism to yield vinyl alkenes and sulfenic acids. [16] [17]

CH3S(O)CH2CH2R → CH3SOH + CH2=CHR

The acids are powerful antioxidants, but lack long-term stability. [18] Some parent sulfoxides are therefore marketed as antioxidant polymer stabilisers. [19] Structures based on thiodipropionate esters are popular. [20] The reverse reaction is possible.

Coordination chemistry

cis-RuCl2(dmso)4, a representative metal complex of a sulfoxide. Three DMSO ligands are S-bonded to Ru, one is O-bonded. Cis-fac-dichlorotetrakis(dimethyl-sulfoxide)ruthenium(II)-from-xtal-2008-3D-balls.png
cis-RuCl2(dmso)4, a representative metal complex of a sulfoxide. Three DMSO ligands are S-bonded to Ru, one is O-bonded.

Sulfoxides, especially DMSO, form coordination complexes with transition metals. Depending on the hard-soft properties of the metal, the sulfoxide binds through either the sulfur or the oxygen atom. The latter is particularly common. [21]

Applications and occurrence

Esomeprazole, a blockbuster drug, is an enantiopure drug containing a sulfoxide functional group. The related drug omeprazole is the racemic version. Esomeprazole.svg
Esomeprazole, a blockbuster drug, is an enantiopure drug containing a sulfoxide functional group. The related drug omeprazole is the racemic version.

DMSO is a widely used solvent.

The sulfoxide functional group occurs in several drugs. Notable is esomeprazole, the optically pure form of the proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole. Another commercially important sulfoxides include armodafinil.

Methionine sulfoxide forms from the amino acid methionine and its accumulation is associated with aging. The enzyme DMSO reductase catalyzes the interconversion of DMSO and dimethylsulfide.

Naturally-occurring chiral sulfoxides include alliin and ajoene.

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ester</span> Compound derived from an acid

In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group of that acid is replaced by an organyl group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well, but not according to the IUPAC.

In organic chemistry, the Swern oxidation, named after Daniel Swern, is a chemical reaction whereby a primary or secondary alcohol is oxidized to an aldehyde or ketone using oxalyl chloride, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and an organic base, such as triethylamine. It is one of the many oxidation reactions commonly referred to as 'activated DMSO' oxidations. The reaction is known for its mild character and wide tolerance of functional groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl sulfoxide</span> Organosulfur chemical compound used as a solvent

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO. This colorless liquid is the sulfoxide most widely used commercially. It is an important polar aprotic solvent that dissolves both polar and nonpolar compounds and is miscible in a wide range of organic solvents as well as water. It has a relatively high boiling point. DMSO has the unusual property that many individuals perceive a garlic-like taste in the mouth after DMSO makes contact with their skin.

The Pummerer rearrangement is an organic reaction whereby an alkyl sulfoxide rearranges to an α-acyloxy–thioether (monothioacetal-ester) in the presence of acetic anhydride.

Organosulfur chemistry is the study of the properties and synthesis of organosulfur compounds, which are organic compounds that contain sulfur. They are often associated with foul odors, but many of the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur derivatives, e.g., saccharin. Nature is abound with organosulfur compounds—sulfur is vital for life. Of the 20 common amino acids, two are organosulfur compounds, and the antibiotics penicillin and sulfa drugs both contain sulfur. While sulfur-containing antibiotics save many lives, sulfur mustard is a deadly chemical warfare agent. Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which are derived from ancient organisms, necessarily contain organosulfur compounds, the removal of which is a major focus of oil refineries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbodiimide</span> Class of organic compounds with general structure RN=C=NR

In organic chemistry, a carbodiimide is a functional group with the formula RN=C=NR. On Earth they are exclusively synthetic, but in interstellar space the parent compound HN=C=NH has been detected by its maser emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl sulfite</span> Chemical compound

Dimethyl sulfite is a sulfite ester with the chemical formula (CH3O)2SO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfone</span> Organosulfur compound of the form >S(=O)2

In organic chemistry, a sulfone is a organosulfur compound containing a sulfonyl functional group attached to two carbon atoms. The central hexavalent sulfur atom is double-bonded to each of two oxygen atoms and has a single bond to each of two carbon atoms, usually in two separate hydrocarbon substituents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl sulfide</span> Chemical compound

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or methylthiomethane is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2S. The simplest thioether, it is a flammable liquid that boils at 37 °C (99 °F) and has a characteristic disagreeable odor. It is a component of the smell produced from cooking of certain vegetables, notably maize, cabbage, beetroot, and seafoods. It is also an indication of bacterial contamination in malt production and brewing. It is a breakdown product of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and is also produced by the bacterial metabolism of methanethiol.

A pinacol coupling reaction is an organic reaction in which a carbon–carbon bond is formed between the carbonyl groups of an aldehyde or a ketone in presence of an electron donor in a free radical process. The reaction product is a vicinal diol. The reaction is named after pinacol, which is the product of this reaction when done with acetone as reagent. The reaction is usually a homocoupling but intramolecular cross-coupling reactions are also possible. Pinacol was discovered by Wilhelm Rudolph Fittig in 1859.

Sulfur compounds are chemical compounds formed the element sulfur (S). Common oxidation states of sulfur range from −2 to +6. Sulfur forms stable compounds with all elements except the noble gases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiophenol</span> Chemical compound

Thiophenol is an organosulfur compound with the formula C6H5SH, sometimes abbreviated as PhSH. This foul-smelling colorless liquid is the simplest aromatic thiol. The chemical structures of thiophenol and its derivatives are analogous to phenols. An exception is the oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to the aromatic ring is replaced by a sulfur atom. The prefix thio- implies a sulfur-containing compound and when used before a root word name for a compound which would normally contain an oxygen atom, in the case of 'thiol' that the alcohol oxygen atom is replaced by a sulfur atom.

The Corey–Kim oxidation is an oxidation reaction used to synthesise aldehydes and ketones from primary and secondary alcohols. It is named for American chemist and Nobel Laureate Elias James Corey and Korean-American chemist Choung Un Kim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethyl oxalate</span> Chemical compound

Dimethyl oxalate is an organic compound with the formula (CO2CH3)2 or (CH3)2C2O4. It is the dimethyl ester of oxalic acid. Dimethyl oxalate is a colorless or white solid that is soluble in water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium methylsulfinylmethylide</span> Chemical compound

Sodium methylsulfinylmethylide is the sodium salt of the conjugate base of dimethyl sulfoxide. This unusual salt has some uses in organic chemistry as a base and nucleophile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiosulfinate</span> Functional group

In organosulfur chemistry, thiosulfinate is a functional group consisting of the linkage R-S(O)-S-R. Thiolsulfinates are also named as alkanethiosulfinic acid esters.

In organosulfur chemistry, sulfinamide is a functional group with the structure R−S(=O)−NR2. This functionality is composed of a sulfur-carbon and sulfur-nitrogen single bonds, as well as a sulfur-oxygen double bond, resulting in a tetravalent sulfur centre. As a non-bonding electron pair is also present on the sulfur, these compounds are also chiral. They are sometimes referred to as S-chiral sulfinamides. Sulfinamides are amides of sulfinic acid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfinyl halide</span> Class of chemical compounds

Sulfinyl halide have the general formula R−S(O)−X, where X is a halogen. They are intermediate in oxidation level between sulfenyl halides, R−S−X, and sulfonyl halides, R−SO2−X. The best known examples are sulfinyl chlorides, thermolabile, moisture-sensitive compounds, which are useful intermediates for preparation of other sufinyl derivatives such as sulfinamides, sulfinates, sulfoxides, and thiosulfinates. Unlike the sulfur atom in sulfonyl halides and sulfenyl halides, the sulfur atom in sulfinyl halides is chiral, as shown for methanesulfinyl chloride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfoxylic acid</span> Chemical compound

Sulfoxylic acid (H2SO2) (also known as hyposulfurous acid or sulfur dihydroxide) is an unstable oxoacid of sulfur in an intermediate oxidation state between hydrogen sulfide and dithionous acid. It consists of two hydroxy groups attached to a sulfur atom. Sulfoxylic acid contains sulfur in an oxidation state of +2. Sulfur monoxide (SO) can be considered as a theoretical anhydride for sulfoxylic acid, but it is not actually known to react with water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transition metal sulfoxide complex</span> Class of coordination compounds containing sulfoxide ligands)

A transition metal sulfoxide complex is a coordination complex containing one or more sulfoxide ligands. The inventory is large.

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