Cu2O-catalyzed C–S coupling of quaternary ammonium salts and sodium alkane-/arene-sulfinates

A new protocol for the synthesis of (enantioenriched) benzylic sulfones via the Cu 2 O-catalyzed C–S bond cross coupling of alkane-/arene-sulfinates and (enantioenriched) benzylic quaternary ammonium salts has been developed. The product benzylic sulfones were obtained in good to high yields (75–96%). Chiral arylmethyl sulfones with high enantiomeric excess (90–94% ee) were also synthesized in the presence of Cu 2 O and 1,1′-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf).