Synthesis of α,ß-Unsaturated N-Sulfonyl Imides through Zinc-Catalyzed Intermolecular Oxidation of N-Sulfonyl Ynamides.

A novel zinc-catalyzed intermolecular oxidation of N-sulfonyl ynamides has been developed. A variety of functionalized α,ß-unsaturated N-sulfonyl imides are readily accessed by utilizing this approach, thus providing a viable alternative to synthetically useful α,ß-unsaturated imides. Importantly, the reaction is proposed to proceed by a vinyligous E2-type elimination pathway, but not metal carbene pathway.