Recent advances in C–S bond construction to synthesize sulfone

ipso-Cyclization of unactivated biaryl ynones leading to thio-functionalized spirocyclic enones

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN)-promoted oxidative ipso-cyclization of unactivated biaryl ynones with S-centered radicals (SCN/SCF3) to access spiro[5,5]trienones has been established. This approach displayed excellent regioselectivity towards spirocyclization and tolerated a variety of functional groups. Dearomatization of hitherto unknown aryl/heteroaryl groups is also disclosed. DMSO is employed as a low-toxicity, inexpensive solvent as well as a source of oxygen.

Visible-Light-Induced Trifluoromethylsulfonylation Reaction of Diazo Compounds Enabled by Manganese Catalysis

A visible-light-induced trifluoromethylsulfonylation reaction of diazo compounds is herein reported. This developed synthetic method captures the relatively rare trifluoromethyl sulfone radicals via coordination to the Mn(acac)₃ catalyst, delivering the corresponding α-trifluoromethyl sulfone esters in good to moderate yields (up to 82%). This protocol exhibits broad substrate scope and is easily carried out under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, a plausible mechanism of the reaction was investigated through DFT calculations.

Visible-light-induced reactions of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs)

Diverse, visible-light-induced transformations of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) have been reported in recent years, attracting significant attention from synthetic chemists. As readily accessible strained molecules, MCPs have sufficient reactivity to selectively generate different target products, through reactions with various radical species upon visible-light irradiation under regulated reaction conditions. These transformations can be classified into three subcategories of reaction pathway, forming ring-opened products, cyclopropane derivatives, and alkynes. These products include pharmaceutical intermediates and polycyclic/heterocyclic compounds that are challenging to obtain using traditional methods. This review summarizes the recent advancements in this field.

Base-mediated [3 + 2]-cycloannulation strategy for the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives using (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines continue to occupy a special place in medicinal chemistry, but the direct construction of 3-sulfonyl analogues remains unexplored. Under basic conditions, pyridinium-N-amine and the corresponding dipolar aminide played a vibrant role in [3 + 2]-cycloaddition using (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones. K₂CO₃-mediated tandem cycloannulative-desulfonylation of (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones with 1-aminopyridinium iodide is realized to access 2-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines in good to high yields. An essential modification of the dipolar N-tosylpyridinium imide allows the first preparative synthesis of 3-sulfonyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines in moderate to high yields. Of note, the metal-free protocol features a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and compatibility. The efficacy of the process was proved with gram-scale reactions, and a plausible mechanism is also presented based on concrete results.

Metal-free sulfonylation of arenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide via cleavage of S-N bonds: expeditious synthesis of diarylsulfones

A novel metal-free sulfonylation of arenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) toward the synthesis of diarylsulfones has been developed. The reaction represents a rare example of sulfonylation reaction using NFSI as an efficient sulfonyl donor and the first example of acid-mediated sulfonylation of unactivated arenes with NFSI via selective cleavage of S-N bonds. This protocol provides a concise approach for the construction of pharmaceutically and biologically important diarylsulfones. Applications in the functionalization of natural products (e.g., β-estradiol) and in the synthesis of a key intermediate to an inhibitor of farnesyl-protein transferase, as well as in the gram-scale synthesis of the EPAC2 antagonist, are demonstrated.

Photocatalytic fluorosulfonylation of aliphatic carboxylic acid NHPI esters

SO2 radical insertion/fluorination via a photocatalytic redox strategy is developed, providing an efficient and reliable approach for the synthesis of alkylsulfonyl fluorides.

Applications of DABSO as an SO2 Gas Surrogate in Organic Synthesis

1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide), DABCO.SO2, or DABSO, a bench-stable colorless solid, is industrially produced by the reaction of DABCO with the condensed and bubbled sulfur dioxide gas at low temperatures. However,...

Heterogeneous copper-catalyzed synthesis of diaryl sulfones

A carbon-supported copper nanoparticle (Cu-NP) with high catalytic activity for the synthesis of diaryl sulfones is reported. For the first time, this Cu-NP is proved to be able to effectively promote the reaction of arylboronic acids and arylsulfonyl hydrazides to generate diaryl sulfones at room temperature. The reaction shows excellent substrate universality, and substrates with different substituents can undergo the reaction smoothly, leading to the desired products in good yields. The Cu-NP is found to be made of low valence Cu based on XRD. Hence, the reaction catalyzed by the Cu-NP is believed to involve a Cu-mediated organometallic cycle.

Copper-Mediated Cross-Coupling of Diazo Compounds with Sulfinates

A copper-mediated cross-coupling reaction between a diazo compound and a sodium alkane(arene)sulfinate gives a sulfone as the product. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions and features excellent functional group compatibility. A wide range of sodium alkane(arene)sulfinates were successfully applied in this chemistry. Mechanistic studies revealed that the overall reaction efficiency of the sulfinates was in line with their nucleophilicity in this reaction.

Unconventional approaches for the introduction of sulfur-based functional groups

Organosulfur compounds have a pivotal role in the functionalities of many natural products, pharmaceuticals and organic materials. For these reasons, the search for new methodologies for the formation of carbon-sulfur bonds has been the object of intensive work for organic chemists. However, the proposed strategies suffer from various drawbacks, such as volatility, toxicity, and instability of the sulfur sources or the use of VOC solvents. In this review, we summarise the recent protocols which have the goal of obtaining sulfones, thioethers, thiazines, thiazepines and sulfonamides in an unconventional and/or sustainable way. The use of starting materials less invasive and toxic with respect to the traditional reagents, alternative solvents such as water, ionic liquids or deep eutectic solvents, the exploitation of ultrasound and electrochemistry, increasing the efficiency of the process, are reported. Moreover, representative reaction mechanisms are also discussed.

Nanosized CdS as a Reusable Photocatalyst: The Study of Different Reaction Pathways between Tertiary Amines and Aryl Sulfonyl Chlorides through Visible-Light-Induced N-Dealkylation and C-H Activation Processes

It has been found that the final products of the reaction of sulfonyl chlorides and tertiary amines in the presence of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles under visible light irradiation are highly dependent on the applied reaction conditions. Interestingly, with the change of a reaction condition, different pathways were conducted (visible-light-induced N-dealkylation or sp³ and sp² C-H activation) that lead to different products such as secondary amines and various sulfonyl compounds. Remarkably, all of these reactions were performed under visible light irradiation and an air atmosphere without any additive or oxidant in benign solvents or under solvent-free conditions. During this study, the CdS nanoparticles as affordable, heterogeneous, and recyclable photocatalysts were designed, successfully synthesized, and fully characterized and applied for these protocols. During these studies, intermediates resulting from the oxidation of tertiary amines are trapped during the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. The reaction was carried out efficiently with a variety of substrates to give the corresponding products at relatively short times in good to excellent yields in parallel with the use of the visible light irradiation as a renewable energy source. Most of these processes are novel or are superior in terms of cost-effectiveness, safety, and simplicity to published reports.

Visible-light photoredox-catalyzed aryl radical in situ SO2-capture reactions

An aryl radical in situ SO₂-capture reaction is developed for the synthesis of various β-keto, allyl and alkynyl arylsulfone derivatives.

Revisiting applications of molecular iodine in organic synthesis

Molecular iodine contributes significantly to organic transformations in synthetic organic chemistry. It works effectively due to its mild Lewis acidic character, ability as an oxidizing agent, good moisture stability, and easy availability.

6-Nitro-7-tosylquinazolin-4(3H)-one

Sulfones are important building blocks in the construction of biologically active molecules or functional materials. The sulfonyl functional group in sulfones is so versatile that it can act as either a nucleophile, an electrophile, or a radical in different organic reactions. Recently, quinazoline sulfones have been used to build asymmetrical ether derivatives as inhibitors of signaling pathways governed by tyrosine kinases and the epidermal growth factor-receptor. In this paper, we report a facile synthesis of a novel quinazoline sulfone, 6-nitro-7-tosylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (III), using the modified protocol from 7-chloro-6-nitroquinazolin-4(3H)-one (I) and sodium p-toluenesulfinate (II). The structure of the title compound III was determined using mass-spectrometry, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HSQC (Heteronuclear single quantum coherence), HMBC (Heteronuclear Multiple Bond Correlation Spectroscopy) spectroscopies, and PXRD analysis.

Phenylboronic acid-catalyzed tandem construction of S-S and C-S bonds: a new method for the synthesis of benzyl disulfanylsulfone derivatives from S-benzyl thiosulfonates

A unique phenylboronic acid-catalyzed dimerization-sulfonylation of S-benzyl thiosulfonates has been disclosed. A metal-free tandem construction of S-S and C-S bonds is an operationally simple method to access a wide range of benzyl disulfanylsulfone derivatives in high to excellent yields. Moreover, the robustness of this tandem transformation has been demonstrated by gram-scale reactions, and a plausible mechanism is also proposed.

An update on the use of sulfinate derivatives as versatile coupling partners in organic chemistry

The use of sulfinic acids and their salts continues to be extensively developed in organic chemistry. This is attributable to their dual capacity for acting as nucleophilic or electrophilic reagents, as well as their ease of preparation and stability on storage. This report highlights the research accomplished since 2015 on this topic, updating a previous review published by our team in 2014.