Highly selective synthesis of (E)-alkenyl-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzenes through Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction

Abstract

Diethyl 2-nitro-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzylphosphonates, available by the vicarious nucleophilic substitution reaction of meta- and para-nitro-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzenes and diethyl chloromethylphosphonate, undergo Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction with aldehydes in the presence of potassium hydroxide in acetonitrile at ambient temperature to give (E)-2-nitro-1-alkenyl-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzenes in good yields and high stereoselectivities. Follow-up transformations of the primary products provided (E)-1-alkenyl-(pentafluorosulfanyl)benzenes and 2-(2-arylethyl)-(pentafluorosulfanyl)anilines.