Copper-catalyzed ring-opening sulfonylation of cyclopropanols via the insertion of sulfur dioxide toward the synthesis of γ-keto aryl sulfones

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed three-component sulfonylation reaction that employs cyclopropanols, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, and sulfur dioxide (SOgen) is presented. This protocol provides easy and straightforward access to structurally diverse γ-keto aryl sulfones with good yields, mild reaction conditions, low catalyst loading, and good functional group tolerance. Furthermore, this method was successfully applied in a gram-scale reaction, highlighting its robustness and potential. Preliminary mechanistic experiments suggest that a radical process may be involved in this transformation.