NaI-mediated α‑keto-acylation of NH-sulfoximines with aryl methyl ketones

A room-temperature NaI-mediated oxidative sulfoximidation of aryl methyl ketones to synthesize α-keto-N-acyl sulfoximines has been disclosed. This metal- and base-free NH-sulfoximidation is facilitated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant, affording α-ketoamides with good functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, and scalability. Mechanistic investigations indicate the intermediacy of radicals and highlight molecular oxygen's significance as the oxygen source.