Pyridine and Triphenylphosphine Oxide Activation of Sulfonyl Chlorides in the Syntheses of (E) Alk-1-enyl Sulfones.

Abstract This paper describes efficient and new approaches to (E) alk-1-enyl sulfones, starting from sulfonyl chloride/pyridine or sulfonyl chloride/triphenylphosphine complexes in the presence of (E) di-iso-butyl alk-1-enyl alanes. The use of CuCl in the presence of sulfonyl chloride/pyridine complexes or pyridine in the presence of sulfonyl chloride/triphenylphosphine complexes, respectively, results in a remarkable increase in the yields and conversions.