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Angewandte
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below).
=
Figure 2. Crystal structure of K(18-crown-6)(THF)[PhS( O)CHPh].
Thermal ellipsoids set at 30% probability.
In summary, we hypothesized that sulfenate anions could
act as catalytic intermediates in organocatalytic reactions.
This hypothesis was founded upon their ability to act as both
leaving groups and nucleophiles. As a proof-of-concept
reaction, we developed the base-promoted conversion of
benzyl halides into trans-stilbenes catalyzed by sulfenate
anions. Furthermore, we have shown that a variety of
sulfoxide precatalysts, including DMSO, can promote this
reaction at loadings of 1–10 mol%. Reactivity studies support
the intermediacy of sulfenate anions and provide strong
evidence that the catalyst resting state is the deprotonated
sulfoxide. Based on these studies, we believe that sulfenate
anions have significant potential in organocatalysis. Related
reactions that are catalyzed by this novel class of catalysts are
currently under investigation.
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[15] a) In this case, because of styrene generation, only 95% of the
benzyl chloride enters the catalytic reaction; b) in this case,
because of styrene generation from both methyl groups of
DMSO, only 80% of the benzyl chloride enters the catalytic
cycle.
Received: June 6, 2014
Published online: && &&, &&&&
Keywords: benzyl halides · organocatalysis · stilbenes ·
.
sulfenate anions · sulfoxides
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=
[19] CCDC 1007043 (K([18]crown-6)(THF)[PhS( O)CHPh]; ex-
cluding structure factors) contains the supplementary crystallo-
graphic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of
charge from The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via
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Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1 – 5
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