The first approach to optically active 2,2′-bipyridine alkyl sulfoxides

The synthesis of 6,6′-bis(alkylsulfanyl)-2,2′-bipyridines and their asymmetric oxidation to non-racemic 2,2′-bipyridine alkyl sulfoxides using either (+)-(8,8-dichlorocamphorylsulfonyl)oxaziridine or a modified Sharpless reagent is reported.

Method A: (+)-(8,8-dichlorocamphorylsulfonyl)oxaziridine; method B: modified Sharpless reagent.