A Convenient Procedure for the Reduction of Sulfones to Sulfoxides

Although there have been a relatively large number of publications recently dealing with the reduction of sulfoxides fo sulfides^1,2 there are still very few general procedures for the reduction of sulfones to sulfides and none at all, as far as we are aware, for the reduction of sulfones to sulfoxides. In his paper dealing with the use of diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H) for the reduction of sulfones to sulfides, for example, Gardner³ points out the inadequacies of the more readily available lithium aluminum hydride for this reduction. We have developed a two part procedure for reducing sulfones 1 to sulfoxides 2 which fills an important gap in the functional group interconversion of organosulfur compounds, the results of which we now describe.     

Chiral sulfoxides from (R)-α- dimethylaminoethylferrocene

Chiral sulfoxides and sulfones of potential interest in organic synthesis are prepared by the reaction of 2-lithio-1-(dimethylaminoethyl)-ferrocene with disulfides, followed by oxidation of the sulfides thus obtained with sodium metaperiodate on alumina or with 3-chloropcrbenzoic acid. Most of the reactions, in particular oxidations of the sulfides to form the sulfoxides, proceed with high diastereoselectivity. The sulfoxides and sulfones can be isolated as pure enantiomers. Assignment of absolute configurations is based on independent synthesis together with ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR data and ORD measurements.     

Microbial reduction of sulfur-containing ketones by Geotrichum sp.

Bioreduction of some β-carbonyl phenyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones (1, 3, 5, 8, 11 and 13) by Geotrichum sp. was studied. Reduction of β-carbonyI phenyl sulfoxides (5 and 8) gave anti-Prelog sulfoxide alcohols. (S, Ss)-3-Chloro-1-phenylsulfinylpropan-2-ol (9) was obtained in high yield with 95% e. e. after recrystallization from methylene chloride-petroleum ether.     

Synthesis of 2-Acetylenic Carboxylic Acids, 1-Sulfinyl and 1-Sulfonyl-2-ketones from 2-Acetylenic Phenyl Sulfides

Monochlorination at the 1-position with sulfuryl chloride, followed by methanolysis converted 2-acetylenic phenyl sulfides into 1-methoxy-2-acetylenic phenyl sulfides. Oxidation with chromic acid gave 2-acetylenic carboxylic acids.

Oxidation of 2-acetylenic phenyl sulfides with Oxone® and hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid gave the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones respectively. Diethylamine addition to the triple bond produced enamines which were hydrolyzed with aqueous hydrochloric acid to the corresponding 1-sulfinyl and 1-sulfonyl-2-ketones.     

Synthesis of 3-Coumaryl Phenyl Sulfones or Sulfoxides

An unambiguous synthesis of a number of 3-coumaryl phenyl sulfones or sulfoxides have been described which were obtained by the oxidation of the corresponding sulfides with hydrogen peroxide. The sulfides were prepared by the Perkin-Oglialore reaction of o-hydroxyaldehyde with the sodium salt of different S-phenyl thioacetic acids. The sulfones did not exhibit any appreciable antitubercuious activity in the preliminary screening tests.     

Prevalence of the alkyl/phenyl-folded conformation in benzylic compounds C6H5CH2-X-R (X=O,CH2, CO,S, SO,SO2): significance of the CH/pi interaction as evidenced by high-level ab initio MO calculations

Ab initio MO calculations were carried out to examine the conformational energies of various benzylic compounds C(6)H(5)CH(2)XR (X=O, CH(2), CO, S, SO, SO(2); R=CH(3), C(2)H(5), iC(3)H(7), tC(4)H(9)) at the MP2/6-311G(d,p)//MP2/6-31G(d) level. Rotamers with R/Ph in gauche relationship are generally more stable than the R/Ph anti rotamers. In these stable geometries, the interatomic distance in the interaction of alpha- or beta-CH in the alkyl group and the ipso-carbon atom of the phenyl ring is short. The computational results are consistent with experimental data from supersonic molecular jet spectroscopy on 3-n-propyltoluene and NMR and crystallographic data on structurally related ketones, sulfoxides, and sulfones. In view of this, the alkyl/phenyl-congested conformation of these compounds has been suggested to be a general phenomenon, rather than an exception. The attractive CH/pi interaction has been suggested to be a dominant factor in determining the conformation of simple aralkyl compounds.     

Products of Reaction of Tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane and 1-Bromotricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane with Hydrogen Sulfide,and Syntheses Based Thereon

By reactions of 1-R-tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptanes (R = H, Br) with hydrogen sulfide initiated by UV irradiation endo-6-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanethiols and bis(endo-6-bicyclo[3.1.1]heptyl) sulfides were synthesized. The sulfides were oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones. The results of HBr elimination from the bromine-substituted sulfoxides and sulfones effected by potassium tert-butylate are discussed. The latter reaction results in the recovery of the system of 1-substituted tricyclo[4.1.0.02,7]heptane.     

Use of sulfur derivatives as an ortho directing group for the metalation of diazines. Metalation of diazines. XVIII

The metalation of thioethers, methyl and phenyl sulfoxides and sulfones of pyrazine and pyridazine has been performed. Methyl sulfoxides and sulfones were first metalated on the methyl group. The ortho directing effect of thioethers, sulfoxides and sulfones have been compared with the methoxy group. The sulfoxides were shown to be very good ortho directing groups.     

Dissociation and rearrangements of the molecular ions of sulfides,sulfoxides, and sulfones generated by a strong electric field

The field mass spectra of 18 sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones were investigated, and the principles of charge localization in the dissociation and rearrangements of the molecular ions of these compounds were established. A new type of fragmentation leading to the elimination of S^+., SO^+., and SO₂. was observed. A new mechanism, according to which cleavage of two C-S bonds and the formation of one new C-C bond due to radical recombination cocur in the cyclic transition complex, is proposed. Prior migration of alkyl radicals from sulfur to oxygen with subsequent cleavage of the S-O and C-S bonds via the above-mentioned mechanism may also occur in the molecular ions of sulfoxides and sulfones.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 172–181, March–April, 1987.     

Stereochemical properties of glucosyl sulfoxides in solution

A series of alkyl β-glucosyl sulfoxides were synthesized and characterized in order to study their stereochemical properties. The dependence of the aglycon, solvent and absolute configuration of the sulfinyl group on the conformational properties around the glucosidic and C5-C6 (hydroxymethyl group) bonds were studied. The results for R(S) sulfoxides show linear correlations between the rotamer populations of the hydroxymethyl group and the corresponding Taft's steric parameter (E(S)) of the alkyl group attached to the sulfinyl group in polar and apolar solvents, an increase in the absolute value of E(S) leading to an increase in the gt population. In addition, NOE experiments reveal that as the bulkiness of the alkyl group increases the population of the g- rotamer increases, the latter stabilized by the exo-anomeric effect. These results are in complete agreement with the participation of the exo-anomeric effect in both conformational properties of R(S) sulfoxides. Sulfoxides with the S(S) configuration show different behavior to their R(S) epimers; thus, an increase in the E(S) value of the alkyl group leads to similar or lower gt populations in apolar solvents and to increases in gt in polar solvents. Their NOE studies reveal a conformational equilibrium (in polar and apolar solvents) between g- and g+, dependent on the size of the alkyl group R attached to the sulfinyl group. All these results for both epimers support the general hypothesis that the exo-anomeric effect modifies the conformation of the hydroxymethyl group, fulfills the stereoelectronic requirements, and shows dependence on the solvent.     

Tetrabutylammonium phosphomolybdate on fluorapatite: an efficient solid catalyst for solvent-free selective oxidation of sulfides

A new synthetic method of sulfoxides and sulfones using solvent-free oxidations of sulfides with urea–hydrogen peroxide complex (urea–H₂O₂) and tetrabutylammonium phosphomolybdate catalyst on fluorapatite ((Bu₄N)₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀]/FAp). In the solid-phase system the oxidations of aromatic and alkyl sulfides proceeded at 4–25 °C and the corresponding sulfoxides or sulfones were selectively obtained in good yields by controlling the amount of urea–H₂O₂.     

Evidence of Two Key Intermediates Contributing to the Selectivity of P450‐Biomimetic Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides and Sulfones

A mild process for the selective oxidation of sulfides is in great demand. Therefore, probing the mechanism underlying the biological oxidation of sulfides under ambient conditions may provide valuable insights for the development of such a reaction. Based on porphyrin models of P450 enzymes, evidence of two key intermediates, Int0 and Int1 , in this reaction is provided. Spectroscopic studies indicated the formation of a hydroperoxide‐iron(III) species ( Int0 ) upon addition of H₂O₂. This intermediate proved to be highly selective for sulfoxide production. By contrast, a defined porphyrin oxoiron(IV) cation radical ( Int1 ) directly reacted with sulfoxides, leading selectively to the corresponding sulfones. Interestingly, the available sulfoxides reversibly act as a new axial ligand for Int0 forming a more active species Int0 _SO. The amount of Int0 increased in the presence of alkyl, aryl, or aromatic sulfides, while Int1 formed in the absence of these sulfides. Thus, sulfoxides and sulfones would selectively form under conditions that favor the corresponding intermediates, which elucidate the biological oxidation pathway.     

New type of fragmentation of organic cation-radicals in a strong electrical field

A new type of fragmentation of organic cation radicals of sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones, leading to the elimination of S⁺, SO⁺ and SO ₂ ⁺ ions, respectively, has been discovered, and the possible mechanisms of their formation have been proposed. The most probable is a mechanism by which a cleavage of two C-S bonds takes place in the cyclic transition complex and formation of one C-C bond due to the recombination of the radicals. The line of the ion with a mass of 32 amu present in the spectra of almost all the sulfoxides studied, was assigned to the sulfur ion, formed by a similar mechanism after the displacement of alkyl or aryl residue in the molecular ion from sulfur to oxygen. Signs of such a migration also appear in the mass spectra of certain sulfones.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimia, Vol. 21, No. 6, pp. 730–735, November–December, 1986.     

Synthesis of novel 1-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acids. II. Preparation of 3-dialkylamino, 3-alkylthio, 3-alkylsulfinyl,and 3-alkylsulfonyl derivatives

The synthesis of novel indole-2-carboxylic acids with amino- and sulfur-containing substituents in the indole 3-position is described. An Ullmann reaction with bromobenzene converted 1H-indoles with 3-(acetylamino)- and 3-(diethylamino)-substituents into 1-phenyl-1H-indoles. Reaction of 3-unsubstituted indoles with thionyl chloride provided indole 3-sulfinyl chlorides, which reacted with alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents to form the corresponding sulfoxides. The indole sulfoxides thus obtained were reduced to sulfides or oxidized to sulfones.     

Iodomethyl phenyl sulfoxide: reactivity and synthetic applications

Lithio iodomethyl phenyl sulfoxides reacted with alkyl halides and carbonyl compounds to give adducts in good to moderate yields. Solvolysis of the carbonyl adducts led to sulfones or the ring expanded product.     

A synthesis of esters, amides, and sulfones bearing a 1-cyclopentenyl group at the α-position from cyclobutanones with one-carbon ring-expansion

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, derived from cyclobutanones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium enolate of carboxylic acid tert-butyl esters, lithium enolate of carboxylic acid N,N-dimethylamides, or lithium α-carbanion of alkyl phenyl sulfones gave adducts in high yields. The adducts were treated with isopropylmagnesium chloride or ethylmagnesium chloride in dry toluene to give esters, amides, and sulfones bearing a 1-cyclopentenyl group at the α-position in moderate to good yields with one-carbon ring-expansion via magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction. The magnesium carbenoid 1,2-CC insertion reaction proved to be highly stereospecific. The reaction mechanism and origin of the specificity are described.     

Tandem enzyme-catalysed oxidations of alkyl phenyl sulfides and alkyl benzenes: enantiocomplementary routes to chiral phenols

Dioxygenase-catalysed trioxygenation of alkyl phenyl sulfides and alkyl benzenes yields enantiopure cis-dihydrodiol sulfoxides and triols respectively; naphthalene cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase-catalysed aromatisation of these diastereoisomers gives enantiopure catechols of either configuration.     

Molecular polarizability of organic compounds and their complexes: LIX. Molar volumes, intrinsic atomic solvation radii, and spatial structures of certain conformationally flexible compounds in solutions

The molar volumes and structures in individual liquids and solutions of a series of conformationally flexible compounds, such as alkanes and diaryl-substituted systems with sp ³-hybridized bridging atoms, were analyzed in terms of intrinsic solvation radii of atoms constituting the molecule. Intrinsic solvation atomic radii were determined for various molecules to show that they are larger than the van der Waals radii of the same atoms. An approach to parametrization of the intrinsic solvation radii of atoms constituting a molecule, using appropriate model compounds, was proposed. From the resulting values of intrinsic atomic solvation radii, the possible conformations of a series of diphenylmethanes, diphenylsilanes, diphenyl sulfides, diphenyl sulfoxides, and diphenyl sulfones in solutions were assessed.     

The mass spectra of styryl sulfoxides and sulfones

A variety of rearrangement reactions have been documented in the gas phase ion chemistry of styryl sulfoxides and sulfones. The styryl group rearranges from sulfur to oxygen as evidenced by loss of SCH₃ from methyl styryl sulfoxide and loss of SOCH₃ from the corresponding sulfone. The resulting m/e 119 ion loses carbon monoxide in one fragmentation route and alternatively loses a hydrogen atom from the aromatic nucleus to produce the benzofuran molecule ion via an electrophilic aromatic ring closure reaction. Styryl sulfoxides lose both carbon monoxide and formyl radicals directly from their molecule ions, but the corresponding sulfones do not fragment in this manner. The mechanisms of the above reactions, as well as others, were investigated using substituent and deuterium labeling. The styryl group has been shown to migrate in preference to a phenyl or substituted phenyl group by investigation of the mass spectra of appropriate aryl styryl sulfoxides and sulfones.