Synthesis of ω-Methylsulfinyl- and ω-Methylsulfonylalkyl Glucosinolates

General pathways were devised to synthesize ω-methylsulfinyl- and ω-methylsulfonylalkyl glucosinolates, which represent an important class of structurally homogeneous plant specialized metabolites. The first approach was based on the selective <i>S</i>-oxidation of ω-methylsulfanyl analogs previously obtained in our laboratory, producing the corresponding sulfoxide or sulfone counterparts in moderate yields. In an alternative approach, previously prepared ω-nitroalkyl methylsulfide precursors were selectively oxidized either to sulfoxides or to sulfones. The key-thiofunctionalized hydroximoyl chloride intermediates were prepared in situ from sulfoxides or sulfones using a nitronate chlorination strategy. A coupling reaction with 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranose was directly applied, followed by <i>O</i>-sulfation of the intermediate thiohydroximates. The final deprotection of the sugar moiety produced the target compounds, including renowned glucoraphanin and homologs, intended for further bioactivity investigations.