One-pot palladium-catalyzed synthesis of sulfonyl fluorides from aryl bromides

Abstract

A mild, efficient synthesis of sulfonyl fluorides from aryl and heteroaryl bromides utilizing palladium catalysis is described. The process involves the initial palladium-catalyzed sulfonylation of aryl bromides using DABSO as an SO₂ source, followed by in situ treatment of the resultant sulfinate with the electrophilic fluorine source NFSI. This sequence represents the first general method for the sulfonylation of aryl bromides, and offers a practical, one-pot alternative to previously described syntheses of sulfonyl fluorides, allowing rapid access to these biologically important molecules. Excellent functional group tolerance is demonstrated, with the transformation successfully achieved on a number of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and their precursors. The preparation of peptide-derived sulfonyl fluorides is also demonstrated.