Use of amine oxide in the H2O2 oxidation of aliphatic mercaptan to sulfonic acid

摘要

Hydrocarbyl mercaptans are oxidized to sulfonic acids by reaction with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an inorganic base (e.g. sodium hydroxide) and a tert-amine oxide. The product is in the form of a sulfonate salt. The reaction rate is increased and undesirable free-oil by-product is decreased by the inclusion of the amine oxide catalyst.