New strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of phenyl ketone cyanohydrins: quaternization of cyanohydrins derived from 2-p-tolylsulfinyl benzaldehyde

reaction: see text] Optically pure functionalized cyanohydrins derived from 1-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl] ethanone can be obtained by the reaction of 2-p-tolylsulfinyl benzaldehyde derived cyanohydrins with bases and further treatment with suitable electrophiles. High yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to de >98%) were obtained for these remote 1,4-asymmetric induction processes controlled by a sulfinyl chiral inductor.