Asymmetric S‐Michael Reaction: Synthesis of CF2H−Containing S‐Ether Compounds through Isosteric Replacement.

Optical pharmaceutical important compounds which bring CF2H to mimic the role of –SH were synthesized through the asymmetric S‐Michael addition reaction in the presence of quinine–a derived squaramide catalyst. Various sulfhydryl compounds including Benzyl mercaptan, phenthiol, alkyl thiophenol, mercaptoacetate, methyl 3‐mercaptoacrylate, and 1,4‐dithiane‐2,5‐diol were tested. The broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and easy derivatization make this synthesis method very attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]