Stereochemistry of Palladium-catalyzed Asymmetric Transformation of Chiral 2-Alkynyl Sulfinates into Allenyl Sulfones
Optically active 2-alkynyl p-toluenesulfinates, possessing chirality on both the α-carbons of the 2-alkynyl groups and the sulfur atoms of the sulfinates, were readily transformed into chiral allenyl sulfones with high stereospecificity in good yields by treatment with palladium acetate. The stereochemistry of the transformation was determined and the plausible mechanistic pathway is proposed.