Synthesis of Heterobenzyl Sulfoxides Enabled by Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Sulfenate Anions with Allenamides.

A highly efficient palladium-catalyzed allenamide allylic alkylation of sulfenate anions under mild conditions is demonstrated. The present methodology provides a practical protocol to access various sulfoxide-containing heterocyclic compounds. The salient features of this transformation include a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, easy to scale-up, and ready synthetic transformation.