ortho-Lithiation of S-tert-butyl-S-phenylsulfoximines. New route to enantiopure sulfinamides via a de-tert-butylation reaction

The sulfoximine group proved to be an excellent ortho-directing group in lithiation reactions. Several electrophiles were used to afford the corresponding ortho-functionalized aryl sulfoximines in good yields. The use of prochiral electrophiles lead to modest to good diastereoselectivities up to 95%. During this study, we observed a side reaction due to a S-de-tert-butylation. After optimization of this S-de-tert-butylation reaction, the corresponding enantiopure sulfinamides could be obtained in good yields.