Abstract
The anodic oxidation of aliphatic sulfides has been investigated, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis. Reactions of dimethyl sulfide in acetonitrile have been studied in detail, considering the effects of variation of water content and of type of supporting electrolyte. With as much as 1% water in 
, dimethyl sulfide is completely oxidized to dimethyl sulfone. In anhydrous 
, the products are 
and 
. It is suggested that the electrochemical reaction involves formation of protons and 
, which condenses with 
to form 
. When perchlorate is present as supporting electrolyte, it is involved in a slow chemical reaction which produces Cl−, 
, and 
. The reaction of benzyl methyl sulfide is very similar, leading to benzaldehyde and 
.