| PATENT ASSIGNEE'S COUNTRY | Japan |
| UPDATE | 12.99 |
| USES |
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The cyclic phenol sulfide of the present invention is an entirely novel compound comprising phenol frameworks linked to each other with sulfide, sulfoxide, or sulfone bonds. It is useful, for example, as an antioxidant, a catalyst, a metal-trapping agent, a light sensor, an ion sensor, a sensor with substrate specificity, a separating-membrane material, a polymer material, a phase-transfer catalyst, an artificial enzyme, a light energy converter, or as an intermediate for functional molecules using a recognition ability of an ion or molecule. |
| PATENT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT GRANT DATE | 07.12.99 |
| PATENT TITLE |
Cyclic phenol sulfide having at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group and process for producing the same |
| PATENT ABSTRACT |
A cyclic phenol sulfide containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; Z represents one member selected from the group consisting of S, a sulfinyl group, and a sulfonyl group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different, and that at least one of the plural Z's is a sulfinyl group or a sulfonyl group, and a process for producing the same. |
| PATENT INVENTORS | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT ASSIGNEE | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT FILE DATE | 06.05.98 |
| PATENT CT FILE DATE | 08.08.97 |
| PATENT CT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT CT PUB NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT CT PUB DATE | 12.03.98 |
| PATENT FOREIGN APPLICATION PRIORITY DATA | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT REFERENCES CITED |
Z. Aryan et al.: "Action of Sulfur Monochloride on Aromatic Ethers" Journal of the Chemical Society., 1962, pp. 4709-4712, XP000568857 Letchworth GB. Kumagai, Hitoshi et al., "Facule Synthesis of p-tert-Butylthiacalix(4)arene by the Reaction of p-tert-Butylphenol with Elemental Sulfur in the Presence of a Base." Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 38, No. 22, Elserver Science Ltd. (England) (1997) pp. 3971-3972. Sone, Tyo. et al., "Synthesis and Properties of Sulfur-Bridged Analog of p-tert-Butylthiacalix(4)arene." Tetrahedron, vol. 38, No. 22, Elserver Science Ltd. (England) (1997) pp. 10689-10698. |
| PATENT PARENT CASE TEXT | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT CLAIMS |
We claim: 1. A cyclic phenol sulfide containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group represented by formula (1): ##STR5## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; Z represents one member selected from the group consisting of S, a sulfinyl group, and a sulfonyl group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different, and that at least one of the plural Z's is a sulfinyl group or a sulfonyl group. 2. A process for producing the cyclic phenol sulfide containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group represented by formula (1) as defined in claim 1, which comprises oxidizing a sulfide bond of a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2): ##STR6## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different, with an oxidizing agent. 3. The process for producing a cyclic phenol sulfide according to claim 2, wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide, an organic peroxide, a peracid, a halogen oxide, an N-halogenated compound, a molecular halogen, oxygen, ozone, nitric acid, or an inorganic oxide. 4. The process for producing a cyclic phenol sulfide according to claim 2, wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide, a molecular halogen, or an inorganic oxide. 5. The process for producing a cyclic phenol sulfide according to claim 3, wherein the molecular halogen as the oxidizing agent is bromine. 6. The process for producing a cyclic phenol sulfide according to claim 3, wherein the inorganic oxide as the oxidizing agent is sodium perborate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| PATENT DESCRIPTION |
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a novel cyclic phenol sulfide having at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group which can be used as, e.g., a metal-trapping agent, an ion sensor, a sensor with substrate specificity, a separating-membrane material, a polymer material, an oxidizing catalyst, a phase-transfer catalyst, a synthetic enzyme, a light energy converter, or an intermediate for functional molecules using a recognition ability of an ion or molecule, and a process for producing the same. BACKGROUND ART Alkylphenol sulfides are conventionally known as an antioxidant (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,239,534, 3,377,334), a rubber sulfurizer (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,468,961, 3,647,885), a polymer stabilizer (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,882,082, 3,845,013, 3,843,600), an anticorrosive (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,587), and a starting material for phenates for use as a lubricating-oil additive (Hori et al., Sekiyu Gakkai-shi, Vol. 34, p. 446, 1991). Known processes for producing conventional phenol sulfides include a method in which a phenol and elemental sulfur are used as starting materials (e.g., A. J. Neale et al., Tetrahedron, Vol. 25, p. 4593, 1969); a method in which a phenol, elemental sulfur, and a base catalyst are used as starting materials (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,961); a method in which a phenol, elemental sulfur, and a molecular halogen are used as starting materials (e.g., B. Hortling et al., Polym. Bull., Vol. 8 (1982), p.1); a method in which a phenol reacts with an aryl disulfide in the presence of a base catalyst (e.g., T. Fujisawa et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol. 33 (1973), p.687); a method in which a phenol and a sulfur halide are used as starting materials (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,239,534); and a method in which a halogenated phenol reacts with a sulfurized alkali metal reagent. However, they disclose an oligomer containing 2,2'-thiobis(4-alkylphenol) (dimer), 2-[3-(2-hydroxy-5-alkylphenylthio)-2-hydroxy-5-alkylphenylthio]-4-alkylphe nol (trimer), or 2-[3-[3-(2-hydroxy-5-alkylphenylthio)-2-hydroxy-5-alkylphenylthio]-2-hydro xy-5-alkylphenylthio]-4-alkylphenol (tetramer), or a composition containing such an oligomer, and a process for the production thereof. Namely, the alkylphenol sulfides dealt with in those references are all non-cyclic compounds, and the existence of a cyclic phenol sulfide and a method for producing the same have not been disclosed. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel cyclic phenol sulfide having at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group and a process for producing the same. The present inventors made intensive studies in order to accomplish the above object. As a result, they have found the existence of a novel cyclic phenol sulfide having at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group and that it is obtained from a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2): ##STR2## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different, by oxidizing a sulfide bond in the compound. They have further found a process for producing the compound. The present invention has been completed based on these findings. Accordingly, the present invention provides a cyclic phenol sulfide having at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group represented by formula (1): ##STR3## wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; Z represents one member selected from the group consisting of S, a sulfinyl group, and a sulfonyl group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different, and that at least one of the plural Z's is a sulfinyl group or a sulfonyl group. The present invention further provides a process for producing the same. The present invention will be explained below in detail. In formula (1), X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group. The carbon atom number of the hydrocarbon group represented by X is not particularly limited as long as the number is 1 or more. Preferably, the carbon atom number of the hydrocarbon group is from 1 to 50. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group, an alicyclic-aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and an aromatic-aliphatic hydrocarbon group. Preferred examples of the saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group include an alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl, 3-methylpentyl, ethylbutyl, n-heptyl, 2-methylhexyl, n-octyl, isooctyl, tert-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-nonyl, isononyl, 1-methyloctyl, ethylheptyl, n-decyl, 1-methylnonyl, n-undecyl, 1,1-dimethylnonyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-heptadecyl, and n-octadecyl groups; and a hydrocarbon group derived from a polymer or copolymer of ethylene, propylene, or butylene. Preferred examples of the unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group include alkenyl and alkynyl groups such as vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, 2-butenyl, 2-methylallyl, 1,1-dimethylallyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, hexenyl, octenyl, nonenyl, and decenyl groups; and a hydrocarbon group derived from a polymer or copolymer of acetylene, butadiene, or isoprene. Preferred examples of the alicyclic hydrocarbon group include cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and cycloalkynyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, 4-methylcyclohexyl, 4-ethylcyclohexyl, 2-methylcyclooctyl, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl, 4-methylcyclohexenyl, and 4-ethylcyclohexenyl groups. Preferred examples of the alicyclic-aliphatic hydrocarbon group include cycloalkyl-, cycloalkenyl-, or cycloalkynyl-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups such as cyclopropylethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylethyl, cycloheptylmethyl, cyclooctylethyl, 3-methylcyclohexylpropyl, 4-methylcyclohexylethyl, 4-ethylcyclohexylethyl, 2-methylcyclooctylethyl, cyclopropenylbutyl, cyclobutenylethyl, cyclopentenylethyl, cyclohexenylmethyl, cycloheptenylmethyl, cyclooctenylethyl, 4-methylcyclohexenylpropyl, and 4-ethylcyclohexenylpentyl groups. Preferred examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group include an aryl group such as phenyl and naphthyl groups; and alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, and alkynylaryl groups such as 4-methylphenyl, 3,4-dimethylphenyl, 3,4,5-trimethylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl, n-butylphenyl, tert-butylphenyl, amylphenyl, hexylphenyl, nonylphenyl, 2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl, cyclohexylphenyl, cresyl, oxyethylcresyl, 2-methoxy-4-tert-butylphenyl, and dodecylphenyl. The alkyl moiety of the alkylaryl group, the alkenyl moiety of the alkenylaryl group, and the alkynyl moiety of the alkynylaryl group may have a cyclic structure. Preferred examples of the aromatic-aliphatic hydrocarbon group include aralkyl, aralkenyl, and aralkynyl groups such as benzyl, 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 4-phenylbutyl, 5-phenylpentyl, 6-phenylhexyl, 1-(4-methylphenyl)ethyl, 2-(4-methylphenyl)ethyl, 2-methylbenzyl, and 1,1-dimethyl-2-phenylethyl groups. The alkyl moiety of the aralkyl group, the alkenyl moiety of the aralkenyl group, and the alkynyl moiety of the aralkynyl group may have a cyclic structure. The carbon atom number of the acyl group is not particularly limited as long as the number is 1 or more. Preferably, the carbon atom number of the acyl group is from 1 to 40. Preferred examples of the acyl group include formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, oxalyl, succinyl, pivaloyl, stearoyl, benzoyl, phenylpropionyl, toluoyl, naphthoyl, phthaloyl, indancarbonyl, p-methylbenzoyl, and cyclohexylcarbonyl groups. In formula (1), Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR , --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7. Examples of the hydrocarbon group and the --COR.sup.1 group both represented by Y include the same hydrocarbon groups and acyl groups as those enumerated hereinabove with regard to X. Preferred examples thereof also include the same preferred groups. Examples of the halogenated hydrocarbon group include halogenated hydrocarbon groups formed by halogen-substituting the same hydrocarbon groups as those enumerated hereinabove with regard to X. Preferred examples thereof also include halogenated hydrocarbon groups derived from the same preferred hydrocarbon groups. R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include the same hydrocarbon groups as those enumerated hereinabove with regard to X, and preferred examples thereof also include the same preferred groups. The above hydrocarbon group may be substituted with at least one substituent such as --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7. The halogen atom may be any of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine atoms. These substituents may be of one kind or two or more kinds. The number of the substituents may be one or more per hydrocarbon group. In formula (1), the number of X's present is from 4 to 12 per molecule. The plural X's are the same or different. In formula (1), the number of Y's present is from 4 to 12 per molecule. The plural Y's are the same or different. Furthermore, in formula (1), the number of Z's present is from 4 to 12 per molecule, and at least one of the plural Z's is a sulfinyl group or a sulfonyl group. A process for producing the cyclic phenol sulfide of the present invention containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group will be explained next. The cyclic phenol sulfide containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group according to the present invention can be produced by oxidizing a sulfide bond in a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2), wherein X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group; Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; and n represents an integer of 4 to 12, provided that the plural X's or the plural Y's are the same or different. In formula (2), X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an acyl group, and examples thereof are the same as those for the X in formula (1) described above. In formula (2), Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, --COR.sup.1, --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.3, --CN, --CONH.sub.2, --NO.sub.2, --NR.sup.4 R.sup.5, a halogen atom, --SO.sub.4 R.sup.6, or --SO.sub.3 R.sup.7, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, and R.sup.7 each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group. Examples thereof are the same as those for the Y in formula (1) described above. In formula (2), the number of X's present is from 4 to 12 per molecule. The plural X's are the same or different. In formula (2), the number of Y's present is from 4 to 12 per molecule. The plural Y's are the same or different. A preferred process for producing a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2) comprises first reacting a phenol compound represented by formula (3): ##STR4## wherein Y represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group, which is unsubstituted phenol or has a hydrocarbon group in the 4-position of the benzene ring to the hydroxyl group, with an appropriate amount of elemental sulfur in the presence of an appropriate amount of at least one metallic reagent selected from alkali metal reagents and alkaline earth metal reagents. The phenol compound and elemental sulfur used as starting materials are fed in such a proportion that the amount of the elemental sulfur is at least 0.1 gram equivalent, preferably at least 0.35 gram equivalents, per gram equivalent of the phenol compound. Although there is no particular upper limit on the proportion of the elemental sulfur fed as a raw material, the amount thereof is preferably up to 20 gram equivalents, especially preferably up to 10 gram equivalents, per gram equivalent of the phenol compound. Examples of the alkali metal reagents include elemental alkali metals, alkali metal hydrides, alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal alkoxides, and alkali metal halides. Examples of the alkaline earth metal reagents include elemental alkaline earth metals, alkaline earth metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkaline earth metal alkoxides, and alkaline earth metal halides. The use amount of the alkali metal reagent or alkaline earth metal reagent is at least 0.005 gram equivalents, preferably at least 0.01 gram equivalent, per gram equivalent of the phenol compound. Although there is no particular upper limit on the use amount of the alkali metal reagent or alkaline earth metal reagent, the amount thereof is preferably less than 10 gram equivalents, especially preferably less than 5 gram equivalents. The hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group can be suitably converted, if desired, to a hydrocarbon group or acyl group by etherification, acylation, or the like. If Y is a hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom is directly replaced with a substituent. If Y is an alkyl group, a dealkylation reaction is conducted, followed by conversion of the substituent. Thus, a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2) can be produced. Methods for the replacement of a substituent include a method in which a cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2) described above in which Y is an alkyl group is dealkylated with an aluminum chloride or cobalt oxide catalyst or the like to convert each alkyl group to hydrogen. or cobalt oxide catalyst or the like to convert each alkyl group to hydrogen. Another method for replacement of a substituent comprises causing an appropriate nitrating agent, e.g., nitronium tetrafluoroborate or nitric acid, to act on the dealkylated cyclic phenol sulfide to convert the hydrogen atoms introduced by the dealkylation to nitro groups. The nitro groups can be converted to amino groups by reduction with an appropriate reducing agent, e.g., iron/hydrochloric acid. Furthermore, it is also possible to diazotize the resultant compound with sodium nitrate or the like and cause an appropriate halogenating agent, e.g., copper chloride, a cyano-introducing agent, or water to act on the diazotization product in the presence of hydrochloric acid or the like to convert the diazo groups to halogen atoms, cyano groups, or hydroxyl groups, respectively. The hydroxyl groups can be converted to acid sulfuric ester groups by the reaction of a sulfuric ester-forming agent, e.g., sulfuric acid. The hydroxyl groups can also be converted to alkyl ether groups by forming an alkali metal phenoxide, e.g., sodium phenoxide, and causing an alkyl halide to act thereon. hydrogen atoms introduced by the dealkylation can be converted to sulfo groups. Also, there is a method in which the dealkylated cyclic phenol sulfide is allowed to react with an acid halide, if desired in the presence of a Lewis acid or the like, whereby the hydrogen atoms introduced by the dehydration can be converted to acyl groups. The cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2) thus synthesized can be converted to a cyclic phenol sulfide containing at least one sulfinyl or sulfonyl group by oxidizing the sulfide bond thereof. A general oxidizing agent can be used to conduct the oxidation reaction of sulfide bonds. Appropriate oxidizing agents include hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, peracids, halogen oxides, N-halogenated imido compounds, molecular halogens, oxygen, ozone, nitric acid, inorganic oxides, and the like. Preferred oxidizing agents include hydrogen peroxide, molecular halogens, and inorganic oxides. Preferred examples of the organic peroxides include t-butyl peracetate, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Preferred examples of the peracids include peracetic acid, trifluoroperacetic acid, and bis(trimethylsilyl) peroxide. Preferred examples of the halogen oxides include sodium periodate, sodium hypochiorite, sodium bromite, and iodobenzenes. Preferred examples of the N-halogenated imido compounds include N-bromosuccinimide and N-chlorosuccinimide. Examples of the molecular halogens include chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Especially preferred is bromine. Preferred examples of the inorganic oxides include manganese (IV) oxide, cerium (IV) oxide, ruthenium (IV) oxide, chromium (IV) oxide, lead (IV) tetraacetate, sodium perborate, and permanganic acid salts. Especially preferred is sodium perborate. These oxidizing agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof. With respect to the incorporation amount of the oxidizing agent used, the oxidation number for sulfur can be changed by changing the amount by equivalent of the oxidizing agent added based on the amount of the sulfide bonds of the cyclic phenol sulfide represented by formula (2). In general, sulfinyl bonds are apt to generate when the oxidizing agent is added in an amount nearly equivalent to the sulfide bonds, usually from 1.0 to 1.5 gram equivalents, preferably from 1.0 to 1.2 gram equivalents, per gram equivalent of the sulfide bonds. On the other hand, sulfonyl bonds are apt to generate when the oxidizing agent is used in excess, usually in an amount of from 2 to 10 gram equivalents, preferably from 2 to 6 gram equivalents, per gram equivalent of the sulfide bonds. A catalyst may be used for the reaction if necessary. Preferred examples of the catalyst of using, for example, hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent include vanadium (V) oxide, sodium metavanadate (V), titanium trichloride, tungsten (VI) oxide, and sodium phosphate. These catalysts may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof. Although the use amount of the catalyst is not particularly limited, it is generally from 0.005 to 10 gram equivalents, preferably from 0.01 to 6 gram equivalents, per gram equivalent of the sulfide bond. The oxidation reaction can also be conducted using electrochemical and photochemical techniques. Furthermore, an enzyme can be used to conduct the oxidation. Examples of the solvent to be used include chlorinated solvents such as chloroform and dichloromethane, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and protonic solvents such as acetonitrile, acetic acid, and water. Although any desired solvent can be used as long as it does not inhibit the intended reaction, preferred solvents vary depending on the oxidation conditions used, generally as follows. An alcohol solvent, e.g., methanol, ethanol, or butanol, or a chlorinated solvent, e.g., chloroform or dichloromethane, is preferred if hydrogen peroxide or an organic oxide is used as an oxidizing agent; a solvent such as water, acetonitrile, or trifluoroacetic acid is preferred if a peracid is used as an oxidizing agent; a solvent such as methanol/water, acetone, or dioxane is preferred if a halogen oxide is used as an oxidizing agent; an alcohol solvent, e.g., methanol, is preferred if an N-halogenated compound is used as an oxidizing agent; and a two-phase system consisting of a chlorinated solvent, e.g., chloroform or dichloromethane, and a weakly alkaline aqueous solution, e.g., an aqueous solution of a hydrogen carbonate, is preferred if a molecular halogen is used as an oxidizing agent. Furthermore, a solvent such as water or cyclohexane is preferred nitric acid is used as an oxidizing agent; on the other hand, dichloromethane is preferred if ozone for the oxidation is used. If an inorganic oxide is used, it is preferred to use pyridine, acetonitrile, acetic acid, a hydrocarbon, a chlorinated solvent, e.g., dichloromethane or chloroform, or a solvent consisting of a mixture thereof. In the case where an electrochemical technique is used to conduct the oxidation, a solvent such as acetonitrile or acetic acid is preferably used. In the case where a photochemical technique is used to conduct the oxidation, a chlorinated solvent, e.g., chloroform or dichloromethane, or methanol is preferably used. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof. Although the use amount of the solvent is not particularly limited, it may be generally from 5 to 100 ml, preferably from 10 to 50 ml, per g of the cyclic phenol sulfide. Reaction temperatures are preferably from -78.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. However, the preferred temperatures vary depending on the oxidizing agents used. Specifically, temperatures of from 15.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. are preferred if hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, nitric acid, or an inorganic oxide is used as an oxidizing agent; temperatures of from -10.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. are preferred if an organic peroxide or a peracid is used as an oxidizing agent; and temperatures of from -10.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. are preferred if a molecular halogen or a halogen oxide is used. Furthermore, if ozone for the oxidation is used, the reaction is preferably conducted at -78.degree. C. In the case where an electrochemical technique or a photochemical technique is used for the oxidation, the reaction is preferably conducted at a temperature of from 20.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. The period of this reaction is not particularly limited, and an appropriate reaction period may be used according to the kind and incorporation amount of the oxidizing agent. In general, a reaction period of from 0.5 to 120 hours may be used. In the case where a reaction product comprising a mixture of oxidative derivatives differing in oxidation number was obtained, these derivatives may be separated by an ordinary separation technique, e.g., recrystallization. |
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