Asymmetric Oxidation of Sulfides with Molecular Oxygen Catalyzed by β-Oxo Aldiminato Manganese(III) Complexes

Enantioselective aerobic oxidation of sulfides with combined use of molecular oxygen and pivalaldehyde afforded the optically active sulfoxides using β-oxo aldiminato manganese(III) complex catalysts. For example, 2-chlorophenyl methyl sulfide afforded optically active sulfoxide in 72% enantiomeric excess.