Stereoinversion of Unactivated Alcohols by Tethered Sulfonamides

Employing a simple iron catalyst is sufficient for the direct conversion of secondary and tertiary alcohols to sulfonamides. Starting from enantioenriched alcohols, the intramolecular variant proceeds with stereoinversion to produce enantioenriched 2‐ and 2,2‐substituted pyrrolidines and indolines, without prior derivatization of the alcohol or solvolytic conditions.

Abstract

The direct, catalytic substitution of unactivated alcohols remains an undeveloped area of organic synthesis. Moreover, catalytic activation of this difficult electrophile with predictable stereo‐outcomes presents an even more formidable challenge. Described herein is a simple iron‐based catalyst system which provides the mild, direct conversion of secondary and tertiary alcohols to sulfonamides. Starting from enantioenriched alcohols, the intramolecular variant proceeds with stereoinversion to produce enantioenriched 2‐ and 2,2‐subsituted pyrrolidines and indolines, without prior derivatization of the alcohol or solvolytic conditions.

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