Stereoselective [3+2] cycloaddition of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines to arynes facilitated by a removable PhSO₂CF₂ group: synthesis and transformation of cyclic sulfoximines.

An unprecedented [3+2] cycloaddition between N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines and arynes provides a stereoselective method for the synthesis of cyclic sulfoximines. Not only does the difluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methyl group play an important role in facilitating the cycloaddition reaction, it can also be removed or substituted through the transformation of the difluorinated cyclic sulfoximines to cyclic sulfinamides.