Copper-Catalyzed Direct Sulfoximination

Key words

C-H activation - sulfoximination - copper

Significance

Herein, the direct dehydrogenative sulfoximination of azoles and polyfluoroarenes is reported. This copper acetate catalyzed C-N coupling proceeds effectively at room temperature in air and affords a wide range of N-arylsulfoximines in excellent yield. With this protocol, a preactivation step, such as halogenation or the formation of a metalated species, is not necessary.

Comment

The use of other copper salts gave similar or slightly inferior results. The addition of different ligands leads to decreasing yields. For a full conversion the combination of the phosphate base and DMF was necessary. Using an enantiopure sulfoximine gave the desired product maintaining the enantiomeric excess.