A simple and efficient synthesis of trihalomethyl and dihalonitromethyl aryl sulfones

A method for the preparation of aryl trihalomethyl sulfones—active biocidal agents—with identical or different halogens is presented. The synthesis is based on the reaction of aryl methyl, aryl halomethyl, or aryl nitromethyl sulfones with sodium hypohalite. The method is simple in implementation, does not necessarily require the use of organic solvents, and selectively affords the products in good to excellent yields. Notably, it allows the preparation of the hitherto unknown phenyl trihalomethyl sulfone with three different halogens: fluorine, chlorine, and bromine.