A novel method for the synthesis of aryl trihalomethyl sulfones and their derivatization: the search for new sulfone fungicides

A novel method for the preparation of bioactive aryl trihalomethyl sulfones is reported. An iodination reaction with iodine bromide is applied for the synthesis of difluoroiodomethyl aryl sulfones. A series of difluoroiodomethylsulfonyl group bearing derivatives is afforded, including nitroanilines and benzimidazoles. Biological studies show high fungicidal activity for a number of the synthesized sulfones.