N,N′-Disulfonylhydrazines: New sulfonylating reagents for highly efficient synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones at room temperature

Abstract

N,N′-Disulfonylhydrazines have been proven to be the most reactive precursors of sulfonyl radicals in all types of sulfonyl substituted hydrazines as early as a half century ago. But such function has not been applied in organic synthesis except the formation of disulfones by self-dimerization of sulfonyl radicals. In this article, they were introduced as new sulfonylating reagents and their combinations with NIS and Et3N were established as excellent iodosulfonylating reagents for alkenes. Finally, a highly efficient method for the synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones was developed by mixing an alkene, a N,N′-disulfonylhydrazine, NIS and Et3N in THF at room temperature for 5 min.