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.

Synthesis of methanesulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters

A methanesulfonylation reaction for the synthesis of sulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters is described for the first time by simple treatment of indanedione-chromanone synthons with Et3N and easily accessible MsCl without any use of organometallic chemistry. This technology gave the corresponding valuable chromone-based 2-methanesulfonylated 1,3-indanediones in good yields (up to 89% yield) under mild conditions. The present work provides an attractive strategy for the construction of biologically interesting sulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters, which might be valuable in medicinal chemistry.

Synthesis and applications of sodium sulfinates (RSO2Na): a powerful building block for the synthesis of organosulfur compounds

This review highlights the preparation of sodium sulfinates (RSO2Na) and their multifaceted synthetic applications. Substantial progress has been made over the last decade in the utilization of sodium sulfinates emerging as sulfonylating, sulfenylating or sulfinylating reagents, depending on reaction conditions. Sodium sulfinates act as versatile building blocks for preparing many valuable organosulfur compounds through S-S, N-S, and C-S bond-forming reactions. Remarkable advancement has been made in synthesizing thiosulfonates, sulfonamides, sulfides, and sulfones, including vinyl sulfones, allyl sulfones, and β-keto sulfones. The significant achievement of developing sulfonyl radical-triggered ring-closing sulfonylation and multicomponent reactions is also thoroughly discussed. Of note, the most promising site-selective C-H sulfonylation, photoredox catalytic transformations and electrochemical synthesis of sodium sulfinates are also demonstrated. Holistically, this review provides a unique and comprehensive overview of sodium sulfinates, which summarizes 355 core references up to March 2020. The chemistry of sodium sulfinate salts is divided into several sections based on the classes of sulfur-containing compounds with some critical mechanistic insights that are also disclosed.

Metal-free molecular iodine-catalyzed direct sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates leading to sulfonated pyrazoles at room temperature

A simple and highly efficient iodine-catalyzed sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates has been developed under mild and metal-free conditions.

Intermolecular sulfenoamination of alkenes with sulfonamides and N-sulfanylsuccinimides to access β-sulfonylamino sulfides and dihydrobenzothiazines

An acid-catalyzed intermolecular sulfenoamination of alkenes is developed with sulfonylamides as the N-source, enabling the synthesis of β-sulfonylamino sulfides and dihydrobenzothiazines.

I2-Catalyzed cross dehydrogenative coupling: rapid access to benzoxazinones and quinazolinones

An efficient and applicable I₂-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrogenative C–O/C–N coupling reaction has been developed for the first time to provide both benzoxazinones and quinazolinones.

I2-mediated sulfonylation and Na2SO3-mediated deacylation: a general protocol for the synthesis of β-keto sulfones and β-dicarbonyl sulfones

A general method for constructing both β-keto sulfones and β-dicarbonyl sulfones has been developed.

Iodine-catalyzed C–H/S–H oxidative coupling: from 1,3-diketones and thiophenols to β-dicarbonyl thioethers

A novel I₂-catalyzed Csp³-H/S–H oxidative coupling between alkyl 1,3-diketones and thiophenols to form β-carbonyl thioethers was demonstrated.