A synthetic strategy has been devised for the preparation of chiral beta-ke
to sulfoxides (actually, alpha-vinylsulfinyl ketones) starting from the rea
dily available C-6 substituted 2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxathiines. The procedure, w
hich is characterized by high yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses, r
epresents an improvement in preparation methods for chiral beta-keto sulfox
ides. (C) 1999 published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.