Cross-metathesis reaction of vinyl sulfones and sulfoxides

Abstract

Cross-metathesis reactions of α,β-unsaturated sulfones and sulfoxides in the presence of molybdenum and ruthenium pre-catalysts were tested. A selective metahesis reaction was achieved between functionalized terminal olefins and vinyl sulfones by using the ‘second generation’ ruthenium catalysts 1c– h while the highly active Schrock catalyst 1b was found to be functional group incompatible with vinyl sulfones. The cross-metathesis products were isolated in good yields with an excellent ( E)-selectivity. Both the molybdenum and ruthenium-based complexes were, however, incompatible with α,β- and β,γ-unsaturated sulfoxides.