Synthesis of C3- and C2-symmetric tris- and bis-sulfoxide ligands by asymmetric oxidation

A series of tris- and bis-sulfoxides were synthesized by multiple asymmetric oxidation of the corresponding sulfides. High enantioselectivities were obtained based on Horeau-type amplification of selectivity. Naphthyl-substituted sulfoxides allowed for higher selectivity and greater ease of purification. These sulfoxides were tested as ligands in rhodium-catalyzed olefin hydroacylation and 1,4-addition of phenyl boronic acid to 2-cyclohexen-1-one. While no enantioinduction was observed in hydroacylation, up to 80% ee was obtained for a tris-sulfoxide and a bis-sulfoxide ligand in the 1,4-addition. Bis-sulfoxides with flexible backbones gave lower and inversed enantioselectivity, suggesting backbone rigidity plays a key role in enantioinduction.