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DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1560429
Dimethyl Sulfoxide as a Synthon in Organic Chemistry
Publication History
Received: 24 January 2016
Accepted after revision: 22 February 2016
Publication Date:
10 March 2016 (online)


Abstract
Dimethyl sulfoxide is generally characterized as a solvent and oxidant rather than as a substrate, building block, or synthon in organic chemistry. However, an abundance of reports have recently appeared that demonstrate dimethyl sulfoxide acting in these roles. This review article offers a comprehensive summary of the literature on this topic until the end of 2015. Synthetic transformations that have utilized the ‘C–S–C’, ‘C’, and ‘C–S’ fragments of dimethyl sulfoxide as building blocks are systematically summarized.
1 Introduction
2 History and Recent Highlights of DMSO-Based Oxidations
3 DMSO-Based Methylthiomethylation (–CH2SMe)
4 DMSO as a One-Carbon Synthon
4.1 DMSO-Based Methylation (–Me)
4.2 DMSO-Based Methylenation (–CH2–)
4.3 DMSO-Based Annulation/Aromatization (=CH–)
4.4 DMSO-Based Formylation (–CHO)
4.5 DMSO-Based Cyanation (–CN)
5 DMSO as Synthon for ‘S–C’ Functionalities
5.1 DMSO-Based Thiomethylation (–SMe)
5.2 DMSO-Based Methylsulfonylation (–SO2Me)
6 Summary and Conclusions