Synlett 2007(12): 1948-1950  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984496
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Straightforward Synthesis of Strained α,β-Epoxysulfones via Epoxidation of Vinylsulfones Using N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide as Epoxidizing Reagent

Rocío Rincón, Ana Aljarilla, María Criado, Joaquín Plumet*
Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Química, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
e-Mail: plumety@quim.ucm.es;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 19 April 2007
Publication Date:
25 June 2007 (online)

Abstract

An efficient, stereoselective route to the α,β-epoxy­sulfones using N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) as epoxidizing reagent is described.

    References and Notes

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    In the same fashion, cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene and p-toluenesulfonylacetylene gave 6 in 99% isolated yield. Compound 7 (30% isolated yield) was prepared by trapping of isobenzofuran 22 [generated by reaction of 3,6-di(2′-pyridyl)-5-tetrazine(19) with 1,4-dihydro-1,4-endoxynaphthalene (20)] with p-toluene-sulfonylacetylene (Scheme [5] ). Analogous generation and trapping of N-Boc isoindole 23 gave compound 8 (62%). To the best of over knowledge these are the first cases concerning the application of the ‘tetrazine method’ to the synthesis of bicyclic α,β-unsaturated sulfones. Full details of the procedure will be reported in due course or upon request.

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14

Typical Experimental Procedure: To a solution of compounds 4-8 (0.43 mmol) in anhyd CH2Cl2 (6 mL), NMO (0.86 mmol) was added in one portion under argon at 0 °C. The mixture was allowed to react at r.t. during 24 h. After this time the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residual material was purified by column chromatography (hexane-EtOAc, 4:1).