C1-Symmetric Aminosulfoximines as Ligands in Copper-Catalyzed Carbonyl-Ene Reactions

Highly modular C1-symmetric aminosulfoximines were prepared and applied as chiral ligands in copper-catalyzed enantioselective carbonyl-ene reactions. The optimized system catalyzed the conversion of pyruvates and 1,1-disubstituted olefins yielding the corresponding hydroxy esters with high enantiomeric excesses (up to 91% ee) in moderate yields.