The modified Mosher's method and the sulfoximine method

This article describes the application of the modified Mosher's method to a variety of natural products possessing a secondary alcohol for determining their absolute configuration. The method is generally applicable to secondary alcohols with a few exceptions where the hydroxy group is seriously hindered by neighboring substituents. Countermeasures to solve the problems are also described. Recent findings that the modified Mosher's method can be used in solvents other than deutero-chloroform are included. Development and application of the sulfoximine method for the determination of the absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides are also described.