Disulfide Oxidation in Water: Thiosulfinate Intermediates Dictate Redox Fate

-assisted cyclization, enabling either regeneration of reduced sulfur species or complete oxidation to terminal sulfonic acids with diminished toxicity and odor potential. The resulting structure-reactivity framework quantitatively links electronic properties to oxidant specificity across diverse water-treatment oxidants. Overall, this study provides mechanistic insight into sulfur-centered redox cycling and offers guidance for controlling sulfurous pollutants, minimizing odor formation, and reducing problematic sulfur byproducts.