Disproportionate Coupling Reaction of Sodium Sulfinates Mediated by BF3·OEt2: An Approach to Symmetrical/Unsymmetrical Thiosulfonates

Org Lett. 2018 Aug 17;20(16):4754-4758. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b01808. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Abstract

The BF3·OEt2-mediated disproportionate coupling reaction of sodium sulfinates was found for the first time. In this reaction, various S-S(O)2 bonds can be formed, efficiently giving thiosulfonates in moderate to excellent yields. As a convenient protocol for the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical thiosulfonates, its reaction mechanism involves the formation of a thiyl radical and sulfonyl radical via a sulfinyl radical disproportionation. What is more, this transformation can also be applied practically as a gram-scale reaction and to the two-step synthesis of sulfone and sulfonamide in one pot in situ using thiosulfonate as an intermediate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't