Mild preparation of alkenes from phenyl sulfides: One-pot elimination of phenylthio group via sulfilimine at ambient temperature

Various alkenes were prepared from phenyl sulfides in a one-pot manner at room temperature by converting them to the corresponding S-aminosulfonium salts with O-mesitylenesulfonylhydroxylamine, followed by treatment with potassium carbonate. Alkenes were formed by cis-elimination of in situ generated phenyl sulfilimines.