2,2-Bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl sulfides as efficient precursors of sulfenic acids

The use of 2,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl sulfides as efficient precursors of sulfenic acids is reported. These starting compounds, carrying both sulfone and sulfide residues, are obtained in one step from commercially available thiols and 1,1-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. Mild decomposition of the derived 2,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl sulfoxides to sulfenic acids, in the presence of suitable acceptors, opens the way to the generation of a wide library of new sulfoxides not easily accessible through different synthetic pathways.