Abstract
An improved protocol for the synthesis of carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides from the reaction
between trimethylsulfoxonium iodide and reactive carboxylic acid derivatives is described.
In a one-pot, two-step sequence, these sulfoxonium ylides could be obtained in up
to 81% yield with shorter reaction times and lesser equivalent numbers of the reactants
when compared to the previous methods. These improvements make the method less expensive
and ideal for larger scale preparations as well, not necessitating excess of the trialkylsulfoxonium
salt starting material. An easier workup procedure, avoiding solvent extraction, is
also discussed and facilitates product isolation.
Key words
sulfur - sulfoxonium ylides - carbonyl - acylation - ketones