Unsymmetrical diaryl sulfones through palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides and arenesulfinates

[GRAPHICS] The palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides and arenesulfinates provides a simple and extremely efficient new route to unsymmetrical diaryl sulfones, usually isolated in high yield. The reaction tolerates a variety of functionalized aryl iodides, including those containing ether, ester, and nitro groups. The best results have been obtained by using Pd-2(dba)(3), Xantphos, Cs2CO3, and (Bu4NCl)-Bu-n in toluene at 80degreesC.