Facial synthesis of sulfinic esters via copper-catalyzed reaction of sulfonyl hydrazides with alcohols in air

The efficient Cu-catalyzed esterification of sulfonyl hydrazides with alcohols in air is described, providing sulfinic esters in good yields and broad scope. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction likely proceeds through free-radical formation including arylthio radical and arylsulfonyl radical, while arylsulfuric acid are the major esterification intermediate in this transformation. (C) 2019 King Saud University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.