Chemistry of Fenchonesulfonic Acid Derivatives

(1 S) - (+)-Fenchone is sulfonated by SO₃ or H₂SO₄/acetic anhydride in the bridgehead methyl group. This could be confirmed by NMR techniques (INADEQUATE). The fenchonesulfonic acid obtained is converted (SOCl₂/NH₃) to the cyclic fenchonesulfonimide, which can be oxidized to the corresponding oxaziridine, in close analogy to 10-camphorsulfonimide. Improved procedures for this reaction sequences are given. During the treatment of the sulfonic acid with thionyl chloride, a byproduct with a rearranged bicyclic skeleton is observed whose structure has been determined by ozonolytic degradation and NMR techniques. A possible mechanism for this rearrangement is suggested, based on MNDO calculations of the intermediate carbocations. The fenchonesulfonyloxaziridine oxidizes sulfides to chiral sulfoxides with appreciable enantiomeric excess, but very low reaction rate. A comparison with camphor-derived oxaziridines having similar steric requirements is made.