One-pot synthesis of sulfonyl (E)-stilbenes by nitrobenzene-mediated dimerizative desulfonation of benzylic sulfones

A facile one-pot synthetic route for preparing sulfonyl (E)-stilbenes 4 is developed. The efficient route is realized by a nitrobenzene (PhNO2)-mediated dimerizative desulfonation of benzylic sulfones 3 in the presence of sodium hydride (NaH) in good yields. Some synthetic investigations of sulfonyl stilbenes 4 are also examined. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.