Synthesis of alpha-Sulfonyl Ketones through a Salicylic Acid-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction Involving Arylsulfonation and Oxidation

The direct synthesis of alpha-sulfonyl ketones was accomplished by a multicomponent reaction of styrene derivatives, anilines, t-butyl nitrite, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-sulfur dioxide (DABSO), and oxygen catalyzed by salicylic acid. The aryl radicals generated from aniline derivatives and t-butyl nitrite under the catalysis of salicylic acid was sulfonylated by DABSO to generate the arylsulfonyl radicals, which reacted further with styrenes, and then oxidized by oxygen to give the title compounds. Under the optimized conditions, the title compounds were obtained in good yields at ambient temperature within 1.5-2 h.