Site-Selective C–H Functionalization–Sulfination Sequence to Access Aryl Sulfonamides

Abstract

Aryl sulfinates are precursors to a diverse number of sulfonyl-derived arenes, which are common motifs in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Here, we report a site-selective two-step C-H sulfination sequence via aryl sulfonium salts to access aryl sulfonamides. Combined with site-selective aromatic thianthrenation, an operationally simple one-pot palladium-catalyzed protocol introduces the sulfonyl group using sodium hydroxymethylsulfinate (Rongalite) as a source of SO₂^2-. The hydroxymethyl sulfone intermediate generated from the catalytic process can be employed as a synthetic handle to deliver a variety of sulfonyl-containing compounds.