Epoxy-annulations by reactions of alpha-amido ketones with vinyl sulfonium salts. Reagent versus substrate control and kinetic resolution.

Diphenyl vinyl sulfonium salt and chiral amido-ketones undergo highly diastereoselective epoxy-annulation reactions in good yield. The use of a chiral vinyl sulfonium salt dominates the stereochemical outcome of the annulation reaction (reagent control is greater than substrate control), and this has allowed the kinetic resolution of racemic amido-ketones to be achieved.