Electrooxidative Metal‐Free Dehydrogenative α‐Sulfonylation of 1<i>H</i>‐Indole with Sodium Sulfinates

Abstract

A method for the electrochemical α‐sulfonylation of 1 H ‐indole with arenesulfinates was developed. A variety of indoles underwent this sulfonylation smoothly at room temperature under metal‐free and chemical‐oxidant‐free conditions to afford indolyl aryl sulfones in good to high yields. This reaction was found to tolerate a variety of functional groups, including halides and cyclopropyl, ether, ester, and aldehyde groups. It was applied to the synthesis of biologically active 5‐HT6 modulators.