Crystal structure of (4R,5S)-4-methyl-3-methyl-sulfinyl-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one.

The absolute structure of the chiral asymmetric indole precursor title compound, C11H13NO3S, was confirmed by refinement of the Flack and Hooft parameters and is that expected based on the starting materials for the synthesis. The phenyl group subtends a dihedral angle of 56.40†(5)° with the mean plane of the oxazolidinone ring, which adopts an envelope conformation, with the C atom bearing the methyl group as the flap. In the crystal, no significant directional inter-actions beyond van der Waals contacts are observed.