Photoredox-catalyzed sulfonylation of alkenylcyclobutanols with the insertion of sulfur dioxide through semipinacol rearrangement

Abstract

A photoredox-catalyzed sulfonylation of alkenylcyclobutanols with the insertion of sulfur dioxide through semipinacol rearrangement under visible light irradiation is developed. This protocol provides an efficient and facile route to β-sulfonated ketones bearing α-carbon quaternary centers under mild conditions, which features good functional group compatibility. Preliminary mechanistic investigation shows that an arylsulfonyl radical-induced 1,2-carbon migration process is involved.