Atroposelective radical aryl migration reactions from sulfur to carbon

The paper describes stereoselective radical aryl migration reactions from sulfur in sulfonates to aryl radicals for the synthesis of axially chiral biaryls. A chirality center in secondary benzylic sulfonates is used to diastereoselectively (atroposelectively) install a stereogenic axis via a 1,5 aryl migration reaction. Atroposelectivity has not been investigated in stereoselective radical chemistry before. Good yields (53-82%) but low selectivities (Lip to 2 to 1) were obtained. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.