Synthesis of a renewable hydroperoxide from (+)-norcamphor: influence of steric modifications of the bicyclic framework on asymmetric sulfoxidation

A renewable tertiary hydroperoxide has been efficiently synthesized in 83% overall yield starting from commercially available (+)-endo-2-norborneol. This oxygen donor, derived from (+)-norcamphor, when employed in Ti(O i-Pr)(4)-catalyzed sulfoxidations, proved to be considerably more reactive when compared to a previously reported camphor-derived hydroperoxide. Reduced steric hindrance of the new oxidant lowered the level of asymmetric induction achieved in the oxidation, but stereo-convergent kinetic resolution has been exploited to improve enantioselectivity. Excellent recovery (95%) of the tertiary alcohol at the end of the sulfoxidation provides a highly advantageous chiral resource saving protocol. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.