Organocatalytic Kinetic Resolution of Sulfoximines

An efficient kinetic resolution of sulfoximines with enals was realized using chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts. The stereoselective amidation proceeds without additional acyl transfer agent. Both enantiomers of the sulfoximines can be obtained with excellent ee values (up to 99% ee and −97% ee, respectively). Performing the catalysis on a gram scale allowed using the recovered sulfoximine (+)-1j in an asymmetric synthesis of FXa inhibitor F.