In the current review, we have compiled the reports on the use of sulfoxonium ylides in metal-catalyzed C–H activation either as a coupling partner or as a directing group. These are further subdivided based on the metal-catalyst employed.
This feature article focuses on the synthesis and applications of vinyl sulfoxonium ylides under metal-mediated and metal-free conditions.
The reaction of ketosulfoxonium ylides and allylic carbocations is described. Depending on the nature of the sulfoxonium ylide employed, highly substituted cyclopropanes or α-alkylated sulfoxonium ylides are obtained.
A metal-free protocol for the modular synthesis of diverse α-thiofunctionalized-α′-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides from sulfoxonium–iodonium hybrid ylides (I(III)/S(VI)-ylides) has been achieved.
A variety of α-arylated sulfoxonium ylides could be facilely synthesized in modest to high yields through α-arylation of sulfoxonium ylides with aryl fluorosulfates via C–O bond cleavage under palladium catalysis.