Visible-light-promoted hydroxysulfonylation of alkylidenecyclopropanes: synthesis of cyclopropane-containing β-hydroxysulfones

Abstract

Visible-light-promoted hydroxysulfonylation of the C–C double bond of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) with conservation of the cyclopropyl ring has been developed. The difunctionalization reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope with excellent functional group compatibility, affording a series of cyclopropane-containing β-hydroxysulfones and cyclopropyl styrenes in 34–91% yields under mild conditions. The preliminary mechanistic investigation indicates that this difunctionalization reaction includes a radical process via a sulfone radical.