Bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)acetylene as a general synthetic equivalent of alkynes in diels-alder chemistry. I: highly selective reduction and alkylating monodesulfonylation of z-1,2-bis(tert-butylsulfonyl)ethenes

Sulfones as Chemical Chameleons: Versatile Synthetic Equivalents of Small-Molecule Synthons

Sulfones are flexible functional groups that can act as nucleophiles, electrophiles, or even radicals. Changing the reaction conditions can completely alter the reactivity of a sulfonyl group, and as a result, molecules bearing multiple sulfones are versatile building blocks. This Review highlights the unique ability of 1,1- and 1,2-bis(sulfones) to masquerade as a vast array of reactive synthons including methane polyanions, vinyl cations, and all-carbon dipoles that would be difficult or impossible to access directly.