Pd-Catalyzed Multicomponent Cross-Coupling of Allyl Esters with Alkyl Bromides and Potassium Metabisulfite: Access to Allylic Sulfones

Org Lett. 2023 Aug 11;25(31):5817-5821. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c02066. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

Abstract

A Pd-catalyzed multicomponent cross-coupling of allyl esters with alkyl bromides to synthesize allylic sulfones by using K2S2O5 as a connector is first reported. The reaction displays a broad range of substrate generality along with excellent functional group compatibility and produces the products with high regioselectivity (only E). Furthermore, the biologically active molecules with a late-stage modification, including aspirin, menthol, borneol, and estrone, are also highly compatible with the multicomponent cross-coupling reaction. Mechanistic studies indicate that the process of SO2 insertion into the C-Pd bond was involved in this transformation.