Highly enantioselective organocatalytic α-sulfenylation of azlactones.

The first asymmetric α-sulfenylation of azlactones with N-(sulfanyl)succinimides has been developed by using cinchona alkaloid-derived squaramide as a catalyst and 4 A molecular sieves as an additive. The reaction conditions were suitable to 4-alkyl and benzyl-substituted azlactones as well as N-(benzyl/alkyl/arylthio)succinimides, affording adducts with high enantioselectivities (81–94% ee).