Redox-Neutral Synthesis of Sulfilimines through the S-Alkylation of Sulfenamides

Abstract

In this work, we developed a metal-free and redox-neutral strategy for the selective S-alkylation of sulfenamides under basic conditions to yield sulfilimines. The key step involves the resonance between bivalent nitrogen-centered anions, generated after deprotonation of sulfenamides under alkaline conditions, and sulfinimidoyl anions. Our sustainable and efficient approach employs sulfur-selective alkylation of readily accessible sulfenamides and commercially available halogenated hydrocarbons, resulting in the successful synthesis of 60 sulfilimines in high yields (36-99%) and short reaction times.