The fluorous Swern and Corey–Kim reactions: scope and mechanism

Protocols for the efficient preparation of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-tridecafluoro-8-methanesulfenyloctane and 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-6-methanesulfenylhexane (fluorous dimethyl sulfide) and for their oxidation to the corresponding sulfoxides (fluorous dimethyl sulfoxide) are reported. The lower molecular weight sulfoxide, in conjunction with oxalyl chloride and Hunigʹs base, brings about the oxidation of diversely functionalized primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones in excellent yield. The fluorous sulfoxide is efficiently recovered for reuse by a simple continuous fluorous extraction and hydrogen peroxide oxidation protocol. The whole process is odor-free. A deuterium-labeling experiment is used to demonstrate that the oxidations take place via the classical Swern mechanism, i.e. by intramolecular hydride abstraction from a sulfur ylid. Corey–Kim oxidations may be performed with the higher molecular weight fluorous sulfide, although recycling is not as efficient.