First Synthesis of β-Keto Sulfoxides by a Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Suzuki Reaction

An unprecedented palladium-catalyzed three-component cross-coupling reaction between α-bromo sulfoxide, carbon monoxide, and aromatic boronic acids provides a new and efficient approach to the synthesis of β-ketosulfoxides. The reaction takes place under mild conditions with a wide range of variously substituted aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids. The carbonylative cross-coupling reaction is strongly favored over competing direct cross-coupling and homocoupling processes, except with boronic acids carrying strong electron-withdrawing substituents.