Molybdate sulfuric acid (MSA): A novel and efficient solid acid reagent for the oxidation of thiols to symmetrical disulfides

Abstract

Wet molybdate sulfuric acid (MSA), as a new solid acid can be used in combination with sodium nitrite to transform a variety of thiols to the corresponding symmetric disulfides under mild and heterogeneous conditions. The process has several advantages: the reagents are inexpensive and non-hazardous, the reaction is clean, fast, high-yielding and MSA can be readily removed by filtration and re-used after treatment with HCl without loss of activity. Further, only thiol oxidation to disulfide was observed. ©ARKAT USA, Inc.