Electrochemical Synthesis of Sultone Derivatives via Dehydrogenative C-O Bond Formation.

Electrochemical dehydrogenative C-O bond formation for the synthesis of sultones was achieved. In the presence of K 2 CO 3 and H 2 O, constant current electrolysis of [1,1'-biphenyl]-2-sulfonyl chloride afforded an aryl-fused sultone quantitatively. Under the optimized conditions, a variety of sultone derivatives were obtained. Control experiments suggest that the electrochemical oxidation of the sulfonates generated in situ would afford sulfo radical intermediates.