Herein is reported a robust and general method for the preparation of N-acylsulfenamides, important functionalities that have recently been utilized as central inputs for the asymmetric synthesis of high oxidation state sulfur compounds. This straightforward transformation proceeds by reaction of primary amides, carbamates, sulfonamides, sulfinamides, and ureas with stable N-thiosuccinimides or N-thiophthalimides, which in turn are prepared in a single step from commercial thiols. The use of stable N-thiosuccinimide and N-thiophthalimide reactants is desirable because it obviates the use of highly reactive sulfenyl chlorides.
Keywords: amide; asymmetric catalysis; sulfenamide; thiol; thiophthalimide; thiosuccinimide.