Absolute Stereochemical Determination of Asymmetric Sulfoxides via Central to Axial Induction of Chirality

The absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides is determined by means of host–guest complexation that leads to the induction of axial chirality in an achiral host. The central to axial induction of helicity is rationalized by a simple recognition of the relative length and size of the substituents attached to the S-center. This technique is used to determine the absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides, requiring micrograms of sample, without the need for prefunctionalization.