A NEW APPROACH TO THE SYNTHESIS OF ISOMERIC E,Z-AND E,E-BIS(STYRYL)SULFONES AND A STUDY OF THEIR CYCLOPROPANATION

Sequential Reduction and Dehydration of Phenacyl-(E)-Styryl Sulfones to Unsymmetrical (E,E)-Bis(styryl) Sulfones

“…While looking for pharmaceutically promising analogs of sulfones, and as part of our ongoing interest on styryl sulfones, we paid attention to the synthesis of unsymmetrical (E,E)-bis(styryl) sulfones. These compounds have been used as valuable precursors in the synthesis of various carbocyclic and heterocyclic systems such as cyclopropanes, 19 thiomorpholines, 20 dithiane-1,1dioxides, 21 pyrazolines, 22 isoxazoles, 23 1,4-substituted butadienes 24 and spiro heterocyclic systems. 25 Recently, bis(styrylsulfonyl) methanes and bis(styryl) sulfones have also been reported as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors 26 and anticancer agents, respectively.…”

“…Earlier, we have reported 19 the synthesis of E,E-and Z,Eunsymmetrical bis(styryl) sulfones by Knoevenagel condensation of styryl sulfonyl acetic acids with araldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzylamine. Encouraged by their increasing interest in organic synthesis and their significant biological activity, we herein report a novel and convenient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical (E,E)-bis(styryl) sulfones.…”