Synthesis of cis-1,2-dichlorovinylsulfones via Fe-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of sulfonyl chlorides to aromatic chloroalkynes

An iron-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective chlorosulfonylation of aryl chloroalkynes has been described, producing cis-1,2-dichlorovinylsulfones in satisfactory yields with good to excellent stereoselectivity (Z/E up to 95:5). A variety of functional groups such as F, NO2, Cl, Br, OMe, and t-Bu are found to be compatible under the reaction conditions.