Visible-Light-Induced Synthesis of γ-Amino Sulfones from Vinyl Sulfones and Amino Acids

A method for the synthesis of gamma-amino sulfones through visible light-induced oxidative decarboxylation and radical reductive addition is described. Various readily available N-protected natural amino acids react with aromatic/aliphatic vinyl sulfones to directly produce gamma-amino sulfone derivatives. This reaction is also applicable to alpha-N(O)-acids and other aliphatic carboxylic acids, resulting in the corresponding sulfone derivatives. The method operates without the need for sacrificial reducing agents or additional hydrogen atom donors. The sole by-product is CO2 released from decarboxylation, rendering the process both atom- and step-economical. image