Strategies for the synthesis of sulfoximine-containing heterocycles

The structural features of the sulfoximine provide a platform comprising a diverse family of heterocycles that have stimulated a considerable interest throughout the chemical sciences over the last two decades. Recent advancements in organic chemistry have led to new synthetic methods and strategies to access sulfoximines and heterocycles that contain them, ushering in a new interest and perspective to the once neglected functional group. While synthetic achievements for the synthesis and use of sulfoximines along with their application in biological contexts have been extensively reviewed, the vast number of heterocycles that are constructed with or contain sulfoximines have been sparingly discussed. Due to the three distinct attachment points around the sulfoximine group, both exocyclic and endocyclic variations exist. Amongst the exocyclic scaffolds reviewed are N-, S-, and α-linked heterocycles. Single and fused endocyclic ring systems consisting of isothiazole oxides, thiazine oxides, and thiadiazine oxides are also covered along with their medium-sized and polycyclic structural variants. This chapter aims to provide the scientific community with a compendium on the synthesis and structural complexity of reported heterocycles containing sulfoximines dating back to the functional group's initial discovery in 1950 through early 2022.