Direct Stereodivergent Olefination of Carbonyl Compounds with Sulfur Ylides

Abstract

The reactivity of phosphorus and sulfur ylides toward carbonyl compounds constitutes a well-known dichotomy that is a common educational device in organic chemistry-the former gives olefins, while the latter gives epoxides. Herein, we report a stereodivergent carbonyl olefination that challenges this dichotomy, showcasing thiouronium ylides as valuable olefination reagents. With this method, aldehydes are converted to Z-alkenes with high stereoselectivity and broad substrate scope, while N-tosylimines provide a similarly proficient entry to E-alkenes. In-depth computational and experimental studies clarified the mechanistic details of this unusual reactivity.