SO2 conversion to sulfones: development and mechanistic insights of a sulfonylative Hiyama cross-coupling

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Oct 24;55(86):12924-12927. doi: 10.1039/c9cc06858a.

Abstract

A Pd-catalyzed Hiyama cross-coupling reaction using SO2 is described. The use of silicon-based nucleophiles leads to the formation of allyl sulfones under mild conditions with a broad functional group tolerance. Control experiments coupled with DFT calculations shed light on the key steps of the reaction mechanism, revealing the crucial role of a transient sulfinate anion.