Synthesis of Sulfones from Organoboronic Acids and Sulfinate Salts

Significance

The sulfone group is a common functional group in the structures of modern pharmaceutical agents and agrochemicals. This method of sulfone synthesis utilizes a Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction, which advantageously runs under very mild conditions. Both aryl and alkenylboronic acids are reactive in this coupling, and all types of sulfinates can be coupled with acceptable product yields. Inexpensive 1,10-phenanthroline is used as a ligand in this reaction.