Microwave-Assisted Solvent-Free Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure N-(tert-Butylsulfinyl)imines

A simple, environmentally friendly, and very efficient procedure for the synthesis of optically pure N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)imines has been developed with microwave-promoted condensation of aldehydes and ketones using (R)-2-methylpropane-2-sulfinamide in the presence of Ti(OEt)(4), under solvent-free conditions. This procedure allows for the preparation of a variety of sulfinyl aldimines with excellent yields and purities in only 10 min, making any further purification of the imines unnecessary. Several sulfinyl ketimines have also been prepared in good yields by extension of the reaction times to 1 h. This methodology has proved to be equally efficient for the synthesis of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic N-(tert-butylsulfinyl)imines. Conventional heating has also been shown to be useful to promote these reactions, especially for the synthesis of aldimines.