Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Amino Ynones by the Addition of Alkynones to Nonracemic Sulfinimines: Formal Total Synthesis of L-Xylo and L-Arabino Phytosphingosines

The addition of silyl enol ethers obtained from ynones to sulfinimines furnished the corresponding beta-sulfinamido ynones in a very good yield and diastereoselectivity. The formed ynones serve as precursors amenable for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. This has been illustrated in the synthesis of L-xylo and L-arabino phytosphingosines.