Catalyst-Free Difunctionalization of Activated Alkenes in Water: Efficient Synthesis of β-Keto Sulfides and Sulfones

Organophosphates as Versatile Substrates in Organic Synthesis

This review summarizes the applications of organophosphates in organic synthesis. After a brief introduction, it discusses cross-coupling reactions, including both transition-metal-catalyzed and transition-metal-free substitution reactions. Subsequently, oxidation and reduction reactions are described. In addition, this review highlights the applications of organophosphates in the synthesis of natural compounds, demonstrating their versatility and importance in modern synthetic chemistry.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Three-Component Selenosulfonation of Maleimides with Sulfonyl Hydrazides and Diselenides via Radical Relay

By employing Cu(CH₃CN)₄PF₆ as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant, we realized a three-component radical selenosulfonation of substituted maleimides, sulfonyl hydrazides, and diphenyl diselenides, providing a series of 3,4-selenosulfonylated succinimides in moderate to good yields. This reaction features broad substrate scopes, high functional-group tolerability, and feasibility of gram-scale synthesis, enabling one-step construction of C-SO₂ and C-Se bonds under mild reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies support the free-radical-induced pathway.

Solvent-Driven Mono- and Bis-sulfenylation of (E)-β-Iodovinyl Sulfones with Thiols for Flexible Synthesis of 1,2-Thiosulfonylalkenes and 1,2-Dithioalkenes

The nature of solvent is a key factor for stereoselective mono- and bis-thiolation of (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones with thiols under basic conditions. A novel and unprecedented vicinal bisthiolation of (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones with thiols under the influence of K₂CO₃/DMSO at room temperature for quick assembly of (E)-1,2-dithio-1-alkenes is presented. Solvent-induced stereoselective monosulfenylation of (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones with thiols has also been established for the synthesis of both (E)- and (Z)-1,2-thiosulfonylethenes in MeCN and MeOH, respectively. Moreover, K₂CO₃-mediated desulfonylative-sulfenylation of (Z)-1,2-thiosulfonylethenes with thiols in DMSO furnished unsymmetrical (Z)-1,2-dithio-1-alkenes for the first time. The solvent-dependent versatile reactivity of (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones has been successfully explored to provide a set of (E)-/(Z)-1,2-dithio-1-alkenes and (E)-/(Z)-1,2-thiosulfonyl-1-alkenes in good to high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. Notably, this operationally simple process utilizes a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and compatibility. The efficacy of the process has been proven for gram-scale reactions, and plausible mechanistic models are outlined on the basis of experimental results and control experiments.

Solvent-mediated switching between oxidative addition and addition–oxidation: access to β-hydroxysulfides and β-arylsulfones by the addition of thiols to olefins in the presence of Oxone

Solvent-switching allows formation of either β-hydroxy-2-arylethyl aryl sulfides or 2-arylethyl aryl sulfones exclusively in thiol–ene ‘click’ reactions conducted with Oxone.

Dioxygen-Triggered Oxosulfonylation/Sulfonylation of Terminal Olefins toward β-Keto Sulfones/Sulfones

A dioxygen-triggered oxosulfonylation/sulfonylation of unactivated olefins to achieve β-keto sulfones/sulfones has been developed. Interestingly, pluralistic mechanisms were found when different types of compounds were applied as substrates, and different products were achieved. The reaction is carried out with a high atomic efficiency in the absence of a metal and a catalyst at room temperature under an air atmosphere. Importantly, as a proof-of-concept, a bioactive molecule was synthesized on a gram-scale level using this method.

Direct alkylation of N,N-dialkyl benzamides with methyl sulfides under transition metal-free conditions

Amides are a fundamental and widespread functional group, and are usually considered as poor electrophiles owing to resonance stabilization of the amide bond. Various approaches have been developed to address challenges in amide transformations. Nonetheless, most methods use activated amides, organometallic reagents or transition metal catalysts. Here, we report the direct alkylation of N,N-dialkyl benzamides with methyl sulfides promoted by the readily available base LDA (lithium diisopropylamide). This approach successfully achieves an efficient and selective synthesis of α-sulfenylated ketones without using transition-metal catalysts or organometallic reagents. Preliminary mechanism studies reveal that the deprotonative aroylation of methyl sulfides is promoted by the directed ortho-lithiation of the tertiary benzamide with LDA.

An aryl thiol-vinyl azide coupling reaction and a thiol-vinyl azide coupling/cyclization cascade: efficient synthesis of β-ketosulfides and arene-fused 5-methylene-2-pyrrolidinone derivatives

The addition reaction of thiol to vinyl azide has been extensively studied. Variously substituted aryl thiols are all viable for this coupling process. The scope of the other partner is successfully expanded from α-aryl vinyl azide to α-alkyl vinyl azide. A thiol-vinyl azide coupling/cyclization cascade is realized with substituted aryl vinyl azides carrying a 2-methoxycarbonyl group. The value of β-ketosulfide products was demonstrated by its application in S-heterocycle synthesis.

Solvent-Switched Oxidation Selectivities with O2 : Controlled Synthesis of α-Difluoro(thio)methylated Alcohols and Ketones

The solvent-switched hydroxylation and oxygenation of α-difluoro(thio)methylated carbanions with molecular oxygen under mild conditions are reported. This strategy tames the redox reactions of the in situ generated hydroperoxy difluoromethylsulfides, in which solvent-bonding can alter their reactivity and switch the oxidation selectivities. These controllable three-component reactions of gem-difluoroalkenes, thiols and molecular oxygen afford various useful α-difluoro(thio)methylated alcohols and ketones in high yields. Significantly, this protocol has been applied in the synthesis different bioactive molecules. Mechanism studies enable the detection of the hydroperoxy difluoromethylsulfide intermediates and exclude the thiol-based radical pathway.

Recent advances in the synthesis and applications of β-keto sulfones: new prospects for the synthesis of β-keto thiosulfones

This review mainly focuses on recent developments in the preparation of β-keto sulfones and their extensive synthetic applications. New prospects for the synthesis of β-keto thiosulfones have also been highlighted. Over the last decade, there has been exponential growth in the direct construction of β-keto sulfones using a wide variety of keto and sulfonyl precursors. Of note, the most promising photoredox transformations and electrochemical synthesis methods of β-keto sulfones are also presented. Moreover, β-keto sulfones are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis due to their three essential functional groups: sulfonyl, carbonyl, and active methylene moieties. The convenient preparation of β-keto sulfones allows the synthesis of many valuable carbocyclic and heterocyclic compounds, and the effortless removal of the sulfonyl moiety via transformations is supported. The chemistry of β-keto sulfones (2013 to present) can be divided into several sections based on the sulfonyl surrogates, and ubiquitous synthetic strategies were systematically outlined.

Catalytic AgF-Initiated Intramolecular 1,3-Sulfonyl Migration of gem-Difluorovinyl Sulfonates to α,α-Difluoro-β-ketosulfones

A 1,3-sulfonyl migration of difluorovinyl sulfonates initiated by a catalytic amount of silver fluoride is presented. α,α-Difluoro-β-ketosulfones were successfully prepared in excellent yields. This method features high chemoselectivity, good functional group tolerance, high atom economy, and mild, environmentally benign reaction conditions. Furthermore, mechanistic experiments indicate that this migration proceeds in an intermolecular pathway and the corresponding sulfinates are possible intermediates.

Dioxygen-triggered oxidative cleavage of the C-S bond towards C-N bond formation

Research on the cleavage of C-C bonds has been well developed. By comparison with this, the activation of C-S bonds remains challenging. Herein, dioxygen-triggered oxidative cleavage of C-S bonds has been achieved, delivering a series of N-containing heterocyclic compounds that are frequently found in pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the potential utility of this protocol was further demonstrated by a gram-scale experiment. Mechanistically, dioxygen plays a key role in the cleavage of C-S bonds towards C-N bond formation.

(Z)-Tetrahydrothiophene and (Z)-tetrahydrothiopyran synthesis through nucleophilic substitution and intramolecular cycloaddition of alkynyl halides and EtOCS2K

This protocol provides a novel, environmentally friendly and simple method for the synthesis of (Z)-tetrahydrothiophene derivatives using the nucleophilic thiyl radical intramolecular cycloaddition cascade process to construct C-S bonds under transition-metal-free conditions. This transformation process offers a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and excellent stereoselectivity (Z/E ratios up to 99/1). Moreover, the process uses odourless, stable and cheap EtOCS2K as the sulfur source.

Substrate-switched dual functionalization of alkenes: catalyst-free synthetic route for β-hydroxy and β-keto thioethers

A substrate-controlled dual functionalization of alkenes under catalyst-free and solvent-free conditions to provide β-hydroxy thioethers and β-keto thioethers is described.

A novel metal-free amidosulfenylation of alkenes leading to β-azolyl sulfides

A novel and environmentally benign method for C-S and C-N bond formation by the direct amidosulfenylation of alkenes has been developed under metal-free conditions. Various alkenes and azoles were transformed into the corresponding β-azolyl sulfides in ionic liquids. The wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and ease of operation make this reaction attractive for the synthesis of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing molecules.

Catalytic, metal-free sulfonylcyanation of alkenes via visible light organophotoredox catalysis

A catalytic, redox-neutral group transfer radical addition of olefins with tosyl cyanide via visible light-induced organophotoredox catalysis has been described.

Direct sulfonylation of anilines mediated by visible light

Visible light photocatalysis allows the introduction of the sulfone functional group to anilines under mild reaction conditions, without the need for pre-functionalization.

Sulfones feature prominently in biologically active molecules and are key functional groups for organic synthesis. We report a mild, photoredox-catalyzed reaction for sulfonylation of aniline derivatives with sulfinate salts, and demonstrate the utility of the method by the late-stage functionalization of drugs. Key features of the method are the straightforward generation of sulfonyl radicals from bench-stable sulfinate salts and the use of simple aniline derivatives as convenient readily available coupling partners.

Direct coupling of sp3 carbon of alkanes with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using a copper/hydroperoxide system

A new methodology of monovalent copper-initiated direct coupling of alkanes and hydroperoxides with unsaturated carbonyl compounds is developed.

Synthesis of Alkyl Aryl Sulfones via Reaction of N-Arylsulfonyl Hydroxyamines with Electron-Deficient Alkenes

Alkyl aryl sulfones were prepared in high yields via the reaction of N-arylsulfonyl hydroxylamines with electron-deficient alkenes. These reactions have the advantages of simplicity, easily available starting materials and mild reaction conditions.