Reactions of mixed homocuprates containing sulphonyl-stabilized carbanions as non-transferable ligands
Abstract
Treatment of α-lithiosulphones with copper(I) iodide in tetrahydrofuran followed by 1 mol. equiv. of an alkyl-lithium or Grignard reagent produces mixed homocuprates [R′SO2CH2CuR]– M+(M = Li or MgX) which are effective reagents for the conjugate addition of R to enones and substitution of chloride in acid chlorides to produce ketones (>90% yields).