Stereoselective catalytic sulfoxidations mediated by new titanium and zirconium C-3 trialkanolamine complexes

Monomeric Ti(IV)/C-3 trialkanolamine complexes are effective catalysts in t he stereoselective sulfoxidation of alkyl aryl sulfides tee's up to 84%, 0. 1% of catalyst). Such complexes were shown to have a biphilic nature, behav ing as electrophilic oxidants towards sulfides while a nucleophilic pathway dominates the oxidation of sulfoxides. The analogous Zr(Iv) complexes, lik ely dimeric, are even better and more general stereoselective sulfoxidation catalysts tee's up to 91%, 50 T.O.), affording sulfoxides with the opposit e absolute configuration.