Stereoselective synthesis of racemic and optically active E-vinyl and E-dienyl sulfoxides via Wittig reaction of α-sulfinyl phosphonium ylides

A series of ol-sulfinyl phosphonium ylides have been obtained in the reaction of phosphonium mono- and diylides with sulfinic acid esters. The use of(-)-(S)-menthyl-p-toluenesulfinate in this reaction afforded the corresponding (S)-((p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl)triphenylphosphonium ylide. The Wittig reaction of these ylides with saturated and unsaturated aldehydes resulted in the formation of racemic and optically active (+)-(R)-vinyl and dienyl sulfoxides with the E-geometry. The synthesis of (+)-(R)-((p-tolylsulfinyl)methyl)triphenyl iodide as a precursor of the optically active ylide has also been described.