Asymmetric oxidation of sulfides catalysed by an iron complex of C 2-chiral strapped porphyrin as a conceptually new P-450 model catalyst

Asymmetric oxidation of aryl sulfides by iodosobenzene has been achieved using the novel iron porphyrin catalysts derived from the antipodes of a C2-chiral 1,4-xylylene-strapped porphyrin, affording the corresponding sulfoxides in 18–71% enantiomeric excess.