Aromatic C-H Methylation and Other Functionalizations via the Rh(III)-Catalyzed Migratory Insertion of Bis(phenylsulfonyl)carbene and Subsequent Transformations

The Rh(III)-catalyzed migratory insertion of bis(phenylsulfonyl)carbene into aromatic C-H bonds has been developed. A variety of bis(phenylsulfonyl)methyl derivatives were prepared with good yields under mild conditions. The methylated products were readily obtained after reductive desulfonylation. Furthermore, the diverse transformations of bis(phenylsulfonyl)methyl to trideuteriomethyl, aldehyde, and other functional groups were demonstrated.

Automated summary

The Rh(III)-catalyzed migratory insertion of bis(phenylsulfonyl)carbene into aromatic C-H bonds has been developed to synthesize various bis(phenylsulfonyl)methyl derivatives under mild conditions with good yields. The methylated products can be readily obtained after reductive desulfonylation, and further transformations to trideuteriomethyl, aldehyde, and other functional groups have been demonstrated.