The mechanism of sulphide oxidation by Mortierellaisabellina NRRL 1757

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Abstract
A series of aryl substituted phenyl and benzyl methyl sulfides was oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides by M. isabellina NRRL 1757. The O atom introduced during this enzymic oxidation is derived from the atmosphere and not from water. The rates of oxidation were determined by UV analysis and correlated with the Hammett sigma constants for the phenyl methyl sulfide series. The value of .rho. = -0.67 so obtained is interpreted in terms of a mechanism of oxidation at the S atom involving an electrophilic attack on the sulfide S by the enzymic activated Fe O complex, followed by conversion of the resulting S cation to sulfoxide.