Electrochemical N-acylation and N-α-ketoacylation of sulfoximines via the selective decarboxylation and dehydration of α-ketoacids

Sulfoximines are commonly found in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other biologically active compounds. However, limited reports exist for their selective functionalization via green and efficient protocols. Herein, we describe an electrochemical N-acylation and N-alpha-ketoacylation of sulfoximines via the selective decarboxylation and dehydration of alpha-ketoacids. These two reactions use electricity as a "traceless" oxidant and alpha-ketoacid as a selective "acyl" or "alpha-ketoacyl" source. A broad range of acylated- and alpha-ketoacylated sulfoximines were isolated in good to excellent yields (up to 88% and 96% yields). Moreover, these protocols have also been applied to late-stage derivatizations of fenofibrate and can be safely conducted on a gram scale.