Facile synthesis of N-1,2,4-oxadiazole substituted sulfoximines from N-cyano sulfoximines

A divergent approach has been successfully developed for the synthesis of N-1,2,4-oxadiazole substituted sulfoximines starting from N-cyano sulfoximines. This method has a wide degree of substrate scope that includes aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, fluoroalkyl and saturated heterocyclic compounds. Excellent functional group tolerability was also observed. Extension of this methodology to nucleosides, amino acids and dipeptides was found to be successful. A gram scale reaction was also established. The major part of this method is metal free and the utility of environmentally friendly solvents such as 2-methyl THF and ionic liquids is an added advantage.