Iron-catalysed stereoselective NH transfer enables dynamic kinetic resolution of sulfoxides

Fang-Xu Fan, Hui Xu, Shi-Xiong Tang, Yanfeng Dang () and Fei Wang ()
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Fang-Xu Fan: Nankai University
Hui Xu: Tianjin University
Shi-Xiong Tang: Nankai University
Yanfeng Dang: Tianjin University
Fei Wang: Nankai University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Transition metal-catalysed asymmetric nitrene transfer provides a powerful means to access various bioactive N-containing compounds as single enantiomers. However, enantioselective NH transfer that allows concise assembly of unprotected enantioenriched amines remains an enduring challenge. We report here an iron-catalysed stereoselective NH imidation of sulfoxide, which is integrated with photocatalytic racemisation of sulfoxide, enabling a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) strategy for direct and asymmetric synthesis of NH-sulfoximines. This approach is distinct from the existing methods by avoiding protecting group manipulations and/or the use of chiral substrates. Computational studies on the NH imidation reaction suggest the involvement of an iron-aminyl radical intermediate, and its reaction with sulfoxide proceeds through a synchronous nucleophilic addition of sulfoxide to nitrogen center and ligand-to-metal single electron transfer process to form the N–S bond. In addition, the stereoselectivity is primarily dictated by the difference in dispersion interactions of the transition states.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56860-4

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