Synthesis of 1-p-tolylsulfinyl-1,3-dienes by intramolecular Heck reactions

The first examples of the synthesis of 1,3-dienyl sulfoxides by Heck reactions are described. Both racemic and enantiomerically pure exocyclic 1-p-tolylsulfinyl-1,3-dienes 1 are readily prepared by the intramolecular Heck reaction of their corresponding vinyl iodides in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 as catalyst and Ag2CO3 as base.