2-(Aryl-sulfonyl)oxetanes as designer 3-dimensional fragments for fragment screening: synthesis and strategies for functionalisation.

2-Sulfonyl-oxetanes have been prepared, affording non-planar structures with desirable physicochemical properties for fragment based drug discovery. The oxetane motif was formed by an intramolecular C-C bond formation. The fragments were further functionalised via organometallic intermediates at the intact oxetane and aromatic rings.