Synthesis of alkyl sulfones via a photocatalytic multicomponent reaction of aryldiazo tetrafluoroborate salts, styrene derivatives, and sodium metabisulfite†

Alkyl sulfones are found in numerous valuable organic molecules. Here, we describe a promising approach for the one-pot synthesis of alkyl sulfones under visible light. Aryl diazo salts were allowed to react with styrene derivatives and sodium metabisulfite in the presence of thiophenol as a hydrogen atom transfer reagent and rhodamine B as a photocatalyst to yield alkyl sulfones. Using this process, various alkyl sulfones were readily synthesized under mild reaction conditions. Our results suggest that this approach can provide diverse and valuable sulfones.