Highly Stereoselective Additions of Sulfur Stabilized Carbanions to [(S)R]-2-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)cyclohexanones.

Abstract We describe the addition reactions of α-thiocarbanions derived from sulfoxides, thioethers, and sulfones to 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)cyclohexanones. The high stereoselectivity observed in the formation of the chiral hydroxylic carbon is controlled by the configuration of the sulfinyl group at the substrate, but it is modulated by the nature of the sulfur function at the reagent (SOTol>SO2Ph>SPh). The highly stereoselective formation of the second stereogenic center generated in these reactions from prochiral anions is only achieved with sulfinylcarbanions, the configuration of which controls that of such a center.