Synthesis of Allyl Aryl Sulfone Derivatives from Baylis-Hillman Acetates in Water

Various phenyl and p-tolyl allyl sulfone derivatives were prepared stereoselectively by reacting Baylis-Hillman acetates with sodium 4-R-benzenesulfinate (R = H, Me) in H(2)O. The reaction was very efficient in providing the corresponding sulfone derivatives in good to excellent yields (Table).