Synthetic and spectroscopic investigation of N-acylated sulfoximines

N-Acylated sulfoximines display unique chemical properties. Various derivatives have been synthesized and investigated by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The results of these studies suggest that the bond between the sulfoximine nitrogen atom and the carbonyl group has a less pronounced double-bond character than the corresponding bond in an amide. This assumption is supported by the first X-ray crystal structure of a sulfoximidoyl derivative. Ab initio calculations (MP2/6-311++G**) provide further insight into the electronic nature of the N-acyl fragment. Studies of the chemical behavior of N-acylated sulfoximines indicate the presence of a highly electrophilic carbonyl group. Thus, the N--C(O) bond can easily be cleaved under mild basic conditions, and the acidity of the hydrogen atoms alpha to the sulfoximine carbonyl group is high. As a consequence of the latter property, endo,endo-sulfoximidoyl norbornene derivatives readily isomerize to their endo,exo counterparts, and sulfoximine-containing pseudopeptides can easily epimerize at the stereogenic center next to the N--C(O) carbonyl group.