Synthesis of a-Hydroxy Carbonyl Compounds (Acyloins): Direct Oxidation of Enolates Using 2-Sulfonyloxaziridines Summary: Direct oxidation of ketone and ester enolates, using 2-sulfonyloxaziridine 1, affords a-hydroxy carbonyl compounds (acyloins) in high yield with excellent stereo- selectivity. ... Sir: a-Hydroxy carbonyl compounds, acyloins, are key structural subunits of natural products and valuable syn- thetic intermediates. As a consequence of their importance ...