Sulfoxidation
in chemistry, sulfoxidation refers to two distinct reactions. In one meaning, sulfoxidation refers to the reaction of alkanes with a mixture of sulfur dioxide and oxygen. This reaction is employed industrially to produce alkyl sulfonic acids, which are used as surfactants. The reaction requires UV-radiation. RH + SO2 + 1/2 O2 -> RSO3H
The reaction favors secondary positions in accord with its free-radical mechanism. Mixtures are produced. Semiconductor-sensitized variants have been reported. Sulfoxidation can also refer to the oxygenation of a thioether to a sulfoxide. R2S + O -> R2SO
A typical source of "O" is hydrogen peroxide. References

 
 
Sulfoxides