A mild and chemoselective CALB biocatalysed synthesis of sulfoxides exploiting the dual role of AcOEt as solvent and reagent

A mild, chemoselective and sustainable biocatalysed synthesis of sulfoxides has been developed exploiting CALB and using AcOEt with a dual role of more environmentally friendly reaction solvent and enzyme substrate. A series of sulfoxides, including the drug omeprazole, have been synthesised in high yields and with excellent E -factors. Sulfoxides have been synthesised from various sulfide substrates under mild conditions exploiting CALB biocatalyst in the presence of urea hydrogen peroxide and AcOEt which acts with the dual role of solvent and reagent.