Sulfones are important functional groups in organic synthesis, both as leaving groups and key structural features in pharmaceutical and agrochemical targets. A method to access sulfones from sodium alkylsulfinates and aryl halides, in the presence of a base metal and light irradiation, will be presented. The protocol allows for the site-selective functionalization of polyhalogenated arenes. Comparing photochemical sulfone formation conditions with analogous thermal conditions helps to establish the substrate activation mechanism. DFT calculations on the singlet (S<sub>0</sub>) and the triplet (T<sub>1</sub>) potential energy surface were explored to gain insight into the reaction mechanism and provide understanding into the difference between thermal and photochemical conditions.

Photochemical sulfonylation of aryl halides

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.