In situ generated hypoiodous acid in an efficient and heterogeneous catalytic system for the homo-oxidative coupling of thiols

Supported hydrogen peroxide on polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPH2O2), silica sulfuric acid (SiO2-OSO3H) and catalytic amounts of potassium iodide (KI) has been developed as a heterogeneous medium for the rapid oxidative coupling of thiols into symmetrical homodisulfides. This oxidizing system proceeds under extremely mild conditions and gives no other oxidized side products.