Copper-Catalyzed 1,2-Sulfonyletherification of 1,3-Dienes

Org Lett. 2024 Apr 19;26(15):2939-2944. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00454. Epub 2024 Apr 11.

Abstract

A selective three-component 1,2-sulfonyl etherification of aryl 1,3-dienes enabled by copper catalysis to afford biologically interesting alkenyl 1,2-sulfone ether derivatives through C-S and C-O bond formation is described. The protocol proceeds with the sulfonyl chloride and alcohols under simple, mild, and base-free conditions, providing a straightforward route to sulfonylated allyl ether compounds with broad functional group tolerance and excellent chemo- and regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate that the selective alkene difunctionalization includes a key copper-mediated single-electron transfer process.