Moffatt‐Swern Oxidation

Abstract

The oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in combination with oxalyl chloride and triethylamine under anhydrous conditions is generally known as the Moffatt–Swern oxidation. The combination of oxalyl chloride, DMSO, and triethylamine is called the Swern‐Moffatt reagent. It has been reported that this reaction involves the formation of an ylide through an alkoxydimethylsulfonium ion. Because this reaction is very mild and selective, it has been widely used in organic synthesis. This reaction also has some disadvantages. This reaction has wide application in the preparation of ketones and aldehydes.