Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Sulfenimines and Sulfinimines Derived from (+)-Camphor

Synthesis of N-Sulfenylimines from Disulfides and Primary Methanamines

N-Sulfenylimines (sulfenimines, thiooximes, N-alkylidenesulfenamides) were efficiently synthesized through the reaction of primary amines and disulfides with NBS or bromine. This reaction can be carried out in an open flask at room temperature without the need for any transition-metal-containing additives. The use of thiols instead of disulfides gave similar results. A wide range of amines were reacted with aryl and alkyldisulfides, resulting in the formation of sulfenimines in a yield of 44-99%.