Efficient Preparation of N-Phenylsulfenyl Ketimines from Oximes or Nitro Compounds without Racemization of α-Stereocenters

As N-sulfenyl imines (e.g., RR‘CN−SAr) can be readily transformed to their N-sulfinyl imines (RR‘CN−SOAr), N-sulfonyl imines (RR‘CN−SO2Ar), and N-sulfonyl oxaziridines, the very mild procedure developed to convert ketoximes and secondary nitro derivatives to N-arenesulfenyl ketimines constitutes a new and efficient route to all these series of compounds. The configuration of the α-stereocenters is retained.