Synthesis of N-arylsulfonamides through a Pd-catalyzed reduction coupling reaction of nitroarenes with sodium arylsulfinates.

A novel one-step direct reductive coupling reaction between nitroarenes and sodium arylsulfinates was realized in the presence of an inexpensive Pd/C catalyst. In this procedure, readily available nitroarenes are employed as the nitrogen sources, and sodium arylsulfinates serve as both coupling partners and reductants. The method features high efficiency by using cheap Pd/C with low catalyst loading and good functional group tolerance in the absence of any additional reductants or ligands. This facile and mild synthetic method enables the high efficiency synthesis of functionalized N-arylsulfonamides from readily available substrates.

Deoxygenation of sulphoxides to sulphides with trichlorophosphane.

An efficient route to deoxygenation of sulphoxides to sulphides with PCl3 under mild reaction condition was developed. PCl3 was used as a reducing agent for the first time to convert sulphoxides to sulphides. The mild conditions, use of cheap and readily available reagent, and broad substrate scope render it a useful strategy for preparing sulphides.