Iron-catalyzed direct difunctionalization of alkenes with dioxygen and sulfinic acids: a highly efficient and green approach to β-ketosulfones

A novel iron-catalyzed direct difunctionalization of alkenes with sulfinic acids and dioxygen for the synthesis of beta-ketosulfones has been developed under mild conditions. The present protocol, which utilizes an inexpensive iron salt as the catalyst, readily available benzenesulfinic acids as the sulfonylating reagents, and dioxygen as the oxidant and oxygen source, provides a cost-effective and environmentally benign approach to access various beta-ketosulfones.