Copper-catalyzed three-component 1,2-aryl sulfonylation of vinylarenes and 1,3-dienes with sodium sulfinates

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed three-component 1,2-aryl sulfonylation of vinylarenes and 1,3-dienes with sodium sulfinates is reported. The reaction proceeds at room temperature with excellent regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, providing an efficient and straightforward approach for accessing various β,β-diaryl sulfones. Combining sodium sulfinates with a copper catalytic system is essential for this transformation. Mechanistic studies reveal that sulfonyl radicals originated from sodium sulfinates undergo addition across alkenes to form new benzylic radicals that subsequently undergo copper-catalyzed arylation with aryl boronic acids.