Aqueous 30% H2O2 in hexafluoro-2-propanol (I-IFIP) is described as a facile, selective and efficient oxidative system for the conversion of l-trifluoromethyl vinyl sulfides to the corresponding vinyl sulfoxides under neutral conditions. By using 3-chlorobenzoic acid or other oxidizing reagents, further oxidation into vinyl sulfones was observed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.