New synthetic approach to α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones and their application in Diels–Alder reactions

A new pathway towards α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones was elaborated. The reaction of β-bromo-β-fluorostyrenes with sodium 4-methylphenylsulfinate proceeds with maximum 94:6 stereoselectivity and 72–90% yields. The formed α-fluoro-β-arylvinyl sulfones were found to be good dienophiles for Diels–Alder reactions with simple 1,3-dienes. From corresponding (E)-configured dienophiles and cyclopentadiene, cycloadducts bearing the fluorine substituent in exo-position were formed predominantly, while with diphenylisobenzofuran the products with endo-orientation of the fluorine were obtained as the major products. From these cycloadducts, as a proof of principle, p-toluenesulfinic acid was eliminated to give 2-fluoro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)norbornadiene, the formal [4+2]-cycloadduct of cyclopentadiene and 1-fluoro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetylene, or the corresponding diphenylisobenzofuran cycloadducts, respectively. This reaction was not successful when other β-hydrogen atoms are accessible for elimination.