Copper catalyzed synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl sulfones from an arenediazonium salt and sodium p-toluenesulfinate

Aryl sulfones have been for the first time synthesized by the reaction of sodium p-toluenesulfinate and arenediazonium salts using a Cul catalyzed homogeneous system. The developed protocol is a simple and efficient new route for the synthesis of diaryl sulfones with excellent product yields. The mild reaction conditions tolerate a range of functional groups. The best results were obtained with Cul, N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine, TBAI and K2CO3 in dimethyl sulfoxide at 100 degrees C under an inert atmosphere.