Copper-catalyzed enantioselectivecarbenoidinsertion into S–H bonds

Abstract

An asymmetriccarbenoidinsertion into S–H bonds catalyzed by copper–chiral spiro bisoxazoline complexes has been developed, in which a series of α-mercaptoesters were produced in high yields with moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 85% ee); this result represents the best enantioselectivity in the catalytic asymmetriccarbenoid S–H bond insertion reaction.