A facile synthesis of N-sulfonyl and N-sulfinyl aldimines under Barbier-type conditions.

A convenient synthesis of N-sulfonyl- and N-sulfinylimines by the condensation of aldehydes with sulfonyl or sulfinyl amides in the presence of benzyl bromide and zinc dust at room temperature under the Barbier-type conditions is reported. The procedure is lauded by its simplicity and adaptability to aromatic, alpha,beta-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes.