A mechanistic study of oxygen atom transfer from N-sulfonyloxaziridine to enolates

Enolate additions to chiral N-sulfonyloxaziridines providing enantiomerically enriched α-hydroxy carbonyl compounds is a reaction of importance, yet a clear understanding of the factors governing stereoinduction in these transformations remains ambiguous. This is despite, previous computational studies, one by Bach et al. employing truncated model systems exploring oxygen atom transfer to an unsubstituted lithium enolate and another by our own group. In clarifying this reactivity we report here a computational study examining oxygen atom transfer from 1-S-(+)-(10-camphorsulfonyl)oxaziridine, viz., archetypal Davis chiral oxaziridine to substituted Li, Na, K enolates offering improved mechanistic understanding. From this investigation, a revised model is offered revealing the metal cation, chelation effects and sterics as decisive stereocontrolling factors in enolate additions to chiral N-sulfonyloxaziridines affording enantiomerically enriched α-hydroxy carbonyl compounds.