Nickel catalyzed addition of organozincates to optically pure vinylic sulfoxides, synthesis of the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor L-765,527 (CDP-840).

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01766-8

Ph₃lZnMgCl was added to the optically pure sulfoxide 3 in the presence of Ni(acac)₂ to give, after desulfurization, the phosphodiesterase N inhibitor 1 in good yield and 92% enantiomeric excess.