Photocatalytic synthesis of alkyl-alkyl sulfones via direct C(sp3)-H bond functionalization.

ABSTRACT

We report a highly efficient one-pot, three-component strategy for the construction of alkyl-alkyl sulfones through a photoinduced TBADT-catalyzed C(sp3)-H sulfonylation of unactivated hydrocarbon compounds. A wide range of commercially available hydrocarbon compounds and bioactive molecules can be successfully applied to the catalytic system, affording the corresponding alkyl-alkyl sulfones in good to excellent yields (>50 examples, up to 87% yield).