Asymmetric Oxidation Catalysis by a Chiral Al(salalen) Complex: Highly Enantioselective Oxidation of Sulfides with Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide

Not afraid to get wet: Aluminum(salalen) complexes were found to be water compatible and therefore suitable catalysts for asymmetric oxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. A variety of sulfides underwent the title reaction in the presence of the aluminum(salalen) complex shown to the give the desired sulfoxides with high to excellent enantioselectivity (see scheme; Bn=benzyl).