Synthesis of β-hydroxy sulfones via opening of hydrophilic epoxides with zinc sulfinates in aqueous media

N Chumachenko, P Sampson

Index: Chumachenko, Nataliya; Sampson, Paul Tetrahedron, 2006 , vol. 62, # 18 p. 4540 - 4548

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Citation Number: 12

Abstract

Reaction of hydrophilic epoxides (ethylene oxide and propylene oxide) with readily accessible zinc sulfinates in aqueous solution under essentially neutral conditions afforded β-hydroxy sulfones in good yields. This method avoids the need for organic solvents and produces ZnO as the only major reaction byproduct. 2-(Methylsulfonyl) ethanol, a common reagent for the protection of various functional groups, was obtained by this methodology ...