Sulfonylation of Bismuth Reagents with Sulfinates or SO<sub>2</sub> through Bi<sup>III</sup>/Bi<sup>V</sup> Intermediates
Fengqian Zhao, Xiao‐Feng Wu
Abstract
Studies to explore the catalytic activities of main-group elements are attractive. We report here our study of sulfonylation of bismuth reagents with sulfinates or SO2 surrogates. Under oxidative conditions, triarylbismuthines and sulfinates were transformed into diaryl sulfones. A transition-metal-like two-electron redox process at the Bi center was achieved in this reaction. Sulfur dioxide generated in situ can also replace sulfinates to deliver the corresponding symmetric diaryl sulfones. A rational mechanism for this reaction was also proposed that involves a Bi(III)–Bi(V) manifold.
Topics & Concepts
ChemistryBismuthReagentRedoxTransition metalCatalysisSulfurReaction mechanismCombinatorial chemistryInorganic chemistryMedicinal chemistryOrganic chemistrySulfur-Based Synthesis TechniquesChemical Synthesis and ReactionsCatalytic C–H Functionalization Methods