Metal-free synthesis of γ-ketosulfones through Brønsted acid-promoted conjugate addition of sulfinamides.

A straightforward and general metal-free method has been developed to add sufinamide-derived sulfone units on Michael acceptors under mild conditions. This reaction enables the preparation of a large variety of original γ-ketosulfones, of which only a few synthetic methods have been reported. The mild reaction conditions used tolerate a wide diversity of functional groups and empower the implementation of a late-stage functionalisation strategy.