Electrochemical Synthesis of Sultone Derivatives via Dehydrogenative C–O Bond Formation

Electrochemical dehydrogenative C–O bond formation for the synthesis of sultones was achieved. In the presence of K2CO3 and H2O, constant current electrolysis of [1,1′-biphenyl]-2-sulfonyl chloride afforded an aryl-fused sultone quantitatively. Under the optimized conditions, a variety of sultone derivatives were obtained. Control experiments suggest that the electrochemical oxidation of the sulfonates generated in situ would afford sulfo radical intermediates.