Synthesis of β-Ketosulfones Promoted by Sulfonylbenzenes

Among sulfur containing compounds, β-ketosulfones are an important group of intermediates in Michael and Knoevenagel reactions, and are valuable precursors in the synthesis of acetylenes, allenes, chalcones,vinylsulfonesand polyfunctionalized 4H-pyrans.β-Ketosulfones are useful for the synthesis of ketones by facile reductive elimination of the sulfone groupand also in the preparation of epoxy sulfones.In addition, β-ketosulfones are precursors for optically active β-hydoxysulfones. Although several methods for their synthesis and their chemical reactions have been reported in the literature, most are associated with long reaction times, tedious reaction conditions and low yields. Hence, there is a need for a rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of β-ketosulfones.