Catalytic enantioselective sulfinyl transfer using cinchona alkaloid catalysts.

[reaction: see text] Practical reaction conditions for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of sulfinate esters are reported. Commercially available cinchona alkaloids were found to be superior catalysts for the sulfinyl transfer reaction of tert-butanesulfinyl chloride and a variety of benzyl alcohols. Sulfinyl transfer with 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl alcohol and 10 mol % of the commercially available, inexpensive catalyst quinidine provided the pure sulfinate ester product in 92% isolated yield and with 90% ee.