Lewis acid induced rearrangement of 2,3-epoxy sulfides; regiospecific trapping of thiiranium ion intermediates with nitrogen heterocycles and amides. Use of imines as nucleophilic equivalents for the selective monoalkylation of primary amines

Duncan M. Gill, Neil A. Pegg, Christopher M. Rayner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Lewis acid induced conversion of 2,3-epoxy sulfides into the corresponding 3-trimethylsilyloxy-1,2-thiiranium ions is described. Such intermediates react with silylated nitrogen heterocycles and amides regiospecifically to form 1-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-thioethers in good to moderate yields with full stereochemical control. Exclusive N-alkylation is observed. When simple primary amines are used as nucleophiles, only products of polyalkylation are isolated. However, imines can be effectively used as the nucleophilic equivalent of a primary amine, the initially formed iminium ions being readily hydrolysed by aqueous base to liberate a secondary amine, the product of overall selective monoalkylation of a primary amine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3609-3630
Number of pages22
JournalTetrahedron
Volume52
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Mar 1996
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lewis acid induced rearrangement of 2,3-epoxy sulfides; regiospecific trapping of thiiranium ion intermediates with nitrogen heterocycles and amides. Use of imines as nucleophilic equivalents for the selective monoalkylation of primary amines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this