Recent advances in sulfoxidation reactions: a metal-free approach

Through the oxidation of sulfides useful elements of stereocontrol in asymmetric synthesis and important targets of pharmaceutical interest can be obtained. A number of metal-free methods have been developed over recent years for sulfoxidation reactions. The results published after 1998 through the beginning of 2010 have been reviewed with a focus being placed on sulfoxidations with hypervalent iodine compounds: iminium- and oxaziridinium derivatives: organic hydroperoxides and organocatalysts. In addition, autocatalytic and catalyst-free variants are discussed. Although, the asymmetric organocatalytic sulfoxidation is still in its infancy, the reported results show the high potential and versatility of this metal-free methodology. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.