One-Pot Synthesis of Pentafluorophenyl Sulfonic Esters via Copper-Catalyzed Reaction of Aryl Diazonium Salts, DABSO, and Pentafluorophenol

Electrooxidation-induced arylsulfonylation of xanthene derivatives with DABSO as an SO2 surrogate

An electrochemical redox C(sp3)-H arylsulfonylation of xanthenes has been developed using aryl diazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABSO as the arylsulfone source. This radical reaction proceeds via the formation of arylsulfonyl radicals from the reaction between aryl diazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABSO, followed by a radical cross-coupling process. Notably, the reaction occurs in the absence of any catalyst or external oxidant, providing efficient sulfonylation of xanthenes with broad functional group compatibility.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed SuFEx reactions of fluoroalkylated secondary benzylic alcohols

An organocatalytic sulfur(VI)-fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reaction of secondary benzylic alcohols is reported. Under the catalysis of 10 mol% NHC, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, bromodifluoromethyl, iododifluoromethyl, and pentafluoroethyl substituted secondary benzylic alcohols reacted with aryl sulfonyl fluorides or fluorosulfates to produce the corresponding sulfonates and sulfates in 62-99% yields. In these reactions, 4 Å molecular sieves were used as highly efficient HF scavengers, avoiding the use of stoichiometric amounts of silicon reagents and excess amounts of bases.

An organophotocatalytic redox-neutral strategy for late-stage drug functionalization with SO2 gas

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a widely considered air pollutant, imposes major effects on ecosystems, human health, and the climate. A promising solution combines synthetic chemistry through SO2 gas capture, transforming it into valuable pharmaceutical and agrochemical products such as sulfonamides, thiosulfonates, sulfonate esters, etc. Direct SO2 gas capture and its catalytic functionalization are currently limited and require redox-non-neutral transition metal-based catalysts, harsh conditions, and expensive SO2 substitutes/surrogates in stoichiometric amounts. This work presents a metal-free and redox-neutral organophotocatalytic strategy for direct SO2 gas capture and its catalytic functionalization with various fine chemicals such as amines, alcohols, and thiols. It utilizes phenalenyl-based molecule as a photocatalyst. In-depth studies (EPR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence quenching) shed light on the reaction mechanism and elucidate the complete SO2 activation cycle. A diverse array of bioactive motifs and clinically active molecules in the categories of antihistamine, antiplatelet, antipsychotic, antidementia, antidepressant, antioxidant, and antimalarial drugs, as well as terpenoids, natural products, amino acids, and peptides, were catalytically functionalized with gaseous SO2 under metal-free conditions highlighting the synthetic potential of this protocol.

Glyoxylic acid monohydrate promoted reductive addition of sodium sulfinates to pillar[4]arene[1]quinone

An efficient synthesis of sulfonate esters through reductive addition of sodium sulfinates to pillar[4]arene[1]quinone has been established (15 examples). Compared to the arylsulfonylation of p-quinone with sodium arylsulfinates under other acidic conditions, this work affords the hydroquinone-type 4-O-sulfonyl derivatives by using glyoxylic acid monohydrate as a promoter. The protocol features mild reaction conditions and high selectivity and is an alternative protocol for the O-sulfonylation of pillar[4]arene[1]hydroquinone.

Electrochemical Sulfonylation of Indoles with Inorganic Sulfites and Alcohols: Direct Synthesis of Indole Sulfonic Esters

A direct electrochemical sulfonylation between indoles, inorganic sulfites, and alcohols was developed, in which various indoyl sulfonate esters were prepared efficiently. In this transformation, the easy-handle and cost-effective inorganic sulfite was disclosed to engage in a Csp2-H sulfonylation as the SO2 source in an undivided electrolysis cell under mild conditions. In addition, the unexpected paired electrosynthesis has been achieved, owing to the dual role of inorganic sulfites, and led to a sulfonylation/reduction sequence to rapidly deliver hydroxyl substituted indole sulfonate esters.

Iodine/DMF-Mediated Regioselective Sulfenylation Using Arenediazonium Tosylates and Sodium Metabisulfite: An Easy Access to 3-Arylthioindoles

A practical C3 sulfenylation of indoles has been accomplished using arenediazonium tosylates and sodium metabisulfite, with a key role of iodine/DMF combination in the reaction. The method involves scarce use of sodium metabisulfite as a divalent sulfur source and offers an array of structurally diverse 3-arylthioindoles in high yields under operationally simple transition-metal-free and mild conditions.

Synthesis of Aryl Alkyl Thioethers via a Copper-Catalyzed Three-Component Reaction with DABSO, Aryldiazonium Salts, and Alkyl Bromides

We developed a method for synthesizing aryl alkyl thioether compounds via a three-component reaction involving aryldiazonium salts, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide), and alkyl bromides. Optimal yields were achieved when a copper catalyst was used in conjunction with zinc and tetrabutylammonium bromide in an acetonitrile solvent at 130 °C for 10 h. This methodology demonstrates good functional group tolerance and enables the successful synthesis of various aryl alkyl thioethers with moderate to high yields.

Annulative Aminosulfonylation of Unactivated Alkenes for Accessing Pyrazolines via Multicomponent SO2 Insertion

A direct arylsulfonylation of β,γ-unsaturated hydrazones method, in which sulfonated pyrazolines are accessed by a three-component reaction of β,γ-unsaturated hydrazones, DABSO, and aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, has been developed without external oxidants or catalysts. This transformation is triggered by the formation of arylsulfonyl radicals in situ from the reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates and DABSO, and is enabled by controllable generation of C center radical, in which DABSO was utilized as the sulfone source and an oxidant in this radical-mediated cascaded reaction. A wide range of substrates can be applied in this process to afford pyrazolines in good yield, and it is amenable for gram-scale synthesis.

Development of copper-catalyzed deaminative esterification using high-throughput experimentation

Repurposing of amine and carboxylic acid building blocks provides an enormous opportunity to expand the accessible chemical space, because amine and acid feedstocks are typically low cost and available in high diversity. Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed deaminative esterification based on C-N activation of aryl amines via diazonium salt formation. The reaction was specifically designed to complement the popular amide coupling reaction. A chemoinformatic analysis of commercial building blocks demonstrates that by utilizing aryl amines, our method nearly doubles the available esterification chemical space compared to classic Fischer esterification with phenols. High-throughput experimentation in microliter reaction droplets was used to develop the reaction, along with classic scope studies, both of which demonstrated robust performance against hundreds of substrate pairs. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that this new esterification is suitable for late-stage diversification and for building-block repurposing to expand chemical space.

A metal-free four-component sulfonylation, Giese cyclization, selenylation cascade via insertion of sulfur dioxide

We hereby report a highly regio- and diastereoselective arylsulfonylation-radical cyclization-selenylation cascade of alkynyl cyclohexadienones for the facile synthesis of highly functionalized dihydrochromenones. The protocol utilizes aryldiazonium salts as aryl partners and DABSO as a benign SO₂ source and also as a redox mediator. Additionally, we also developed a visible light mediated protocol wherein diaryliodonium salts were used as the aryl partners at room temperature.

Visible-light-induced one-pot synthesis of sulfonic esters via multicomponent reaction of arylazo sulfones and alcohols

Sulfonic ester is a chemical structure common to many organic molecules, including biologically active compounds. Herein, a visible-light-induced synthetic method to prepare aryl sulfonic ester from arylazo sulfones was developed. In the present study, a one-pot reaction was carried out using arylazo sulfones, DABSO (DABCO·(SO2)2), and alcohols in the presence of CuI as a coupling catalyst and HCl as an additive to yield sulfonic esters via multicomponent reaction. This synthetic method afforded a wide range of sulfonic esters with high yields under mild conditions.

Aryldiazonium Salts and DABSO: a Versatile Combination for Three-Component Sulfonylative Cross-Coupling Reactions

A combination of aryldiazonium salts and DABSO provides a unique opportunity for sulfonylative multicomponent cross-coupling reactions. Here, a copper-catalyzed three-component cross-coupling of aryldiazonium salts, DABSO with arylboronic acids to obtain medicinally relevant unsymmetrical diarylsulfones is disclosed. Interestingly, a catalyst-free approach for the synthesis of arylvinylsulfones from the corresponding vinyl boronic acid or vinyl halides is explored under basic condition. Tethered aryldiazonium salts provided the corresponding annulated alkylvinylsulfones via alkene difunctionalization under the same transition metal-free condition. Mechanistically, these multicomponent reactions proceed through a single electron pathway by the formation of arylsulfonyl radical as a key intermediate.

Applications of DABSO as an SO2 Gas Surrogate in Organic Synthesis

1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide), DABCO.SO2, or DABSO, a bench-stable colorless solid, is industrially produced by the reaction of DABCO with the condensed and bubbled sulfur dioxide gas at low temperatures. However,...

The organocatalytic synthesis of perfluorophenylsulfides via the thiolation of trimethyl(perfluorophenyl)silanes and thiosulfonates

The organic superbase t-Bu-P₄-catalyzed direct thiolation of trimethyl(perfluorophenyl)silanes and thiosulfonates was developed. Yields of perfluorophenylsulfides of up to 97% under catalysis of 5 mol% t-Bu-P₄ were achieved. This method was shown to provide an efficient way to construct the perfluorophenyl-sulfur bond under mild metal-free reaction conditions.

Copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of arylhydrazine hydrochloride, DABSO, and NFSI for the synthesis of arenesulfonyl fluorides

This paper reports a convenient copper-catalyzed three-component conversion of arylhydrazine hydrochlorides to arenesulfonyl fluorides in good yields under mild conditions, using 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) (DABSO) as a sulfonyl source and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as a fluorine source based on a radical sulfur dioxide insertion and fluorination strategy. Notably, arylhydrazine hydrochloride is used as a safe precursor of aryl radicals.

Vinyl sulfone synthesis via copper-catalyzed three-component decarboxylative addition

The synthesis of vinyl sulfone derivatives via the reaction of arylpropiolic acids, K₂S₂O₅, and aryl boronic acids is reported. The CuBr₂/1,10-phenanthroline catalytic system in the presence of acetic acid provides the desired vinyl sulfones in moderate to good yield. Furthermore, the methodology features excellent functional group tolerance.