Diphenyl sulfide is dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as ethanol or acetone. Then, an oxidizing agent is slowly added under stirring, controlling the reaction temperature and time to ensure the oxidation reaction proceeds fully. After the reaction is complete, crude diphenyl sulfoxide is obtained through filtration, washing, and drying. Finally, high-purity diphenyl sulfoxide is obtained through purification methods such as recrystallization or column chromatography.
Diphenyl sulfoxide is a reagent used as an oxidant and hydroxyl activator in combination with a variety of electrophilic reagents. Efficient glycosidation of a phenyl thiosialoside donor with diphenyl sulfoxide and triflic anhydride in dichloromethane was reported. Direct glycosylations with 1-hydroxy glycosyl donors is made using trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and diphenyl sulfoxide. The preparation of triarylsulfonium halides was by the action of aryl Grignard reagents on diphenyl sulfoxide.
