Synthetic Approach toward Enantiopure Cyclic Sulfinamides

Synthesis of chiral sulfilimines by organocatalytic enantioselective sulfur alkylation of sulfenamides

Sulfilimines are versatile synthetic intermediates and important moieties in bioactive molecules. However, their applications in drug discovery are underexplored, and efficient asymmetric synthetic methods are highly desirable. Here, we report a transition metal-free pentanidium-catalyzed sulfur alkylation of sulfenamides with exclusive chemoselectivity over nitrogen and high enantioselectivity. The reaction conditions were mild, and a wide range of enantioenriched aryl and alkyl sulfilimines were obtained. The synthetic utility and practicability of this robust protocol were further demonstrated through gram-scale reactions and late-stage functionalization of drugs.

Cyclic Sulfinamides

The literature on cyclic sulfinamides (put simply, sultims) published from 1989 to 2022 has been summarized and reviewed. The information is divided into two sections: the analysis of synthetic methods on the preparation of cyclic sulfinamides and the discussion of the chemical properties of cyclic sulfinamides focusing on their reactions and applications. The survey of the reaction conditions, provided in the most detailed way, and a critical view of the reaction mechanisms add an extra dimension to the text. The data presented will be useful to specialists in different areas, especially those who work in the field of synthetic organic and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Synthesis of Sulfoximines by Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Sulfinamides and Aryl Boronic Acids

A novel copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of sulfinamides and aryl boronic acids is developed. The reaction is highly chemoselective and stereospecific, which allows mild synthesis of optically pure sulfoximines with broad scope and functional group tolerance. The utility of this method is demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates.

Recent advances in the synthesis of cyclic sulfinic acid derivatives (sultines and cyclic sulfinamides)

The chemistry of cyclic sulfinic acid derivatives (sultines and cyclic sulfinamides) was underdeveloped for a long time due to their inaccessibility. Considering the importance of cyclic sulfinate esters and amides in the fields of chemistry, pharmaceutical science, and material science, synthesis strategies involving cyclic sulfinic acid derivatives have been paid more attention in recent years, and have been widely used in the synthesis of sulfur-containing compounds such as sulfoxides, sulfones, sulfinates and thioethers. Despite the impressive improvements that have been made in last twenty years with the new strategies, to date, no reviews have been published, to the best of our knowledge, dealing with the preparation of cyclic sulfinic acid derivatives. This review summarizes the latest advances in the development of new synthesis methods to access cyclic sulfinic acid derivatives in the last two decades. The synthetic strategies are reviewed by highlighting their product diversity, selectivity and applicability, and the mechanistic rationale is presented where possible. We wish to bring readers a comprehensive understanding of the state-of-play of cyclic sulfinic acid derivative formation and make a contribution to future research.