. The pK, values for the deprotonation of a series of 4-(X-phenylsulfonylrnethy1)pyridines (6) (pK, = 19.89 (X = H); p = 3.0) were determined in aqueous dirnethyl sulfoxide solutions at 25°C using the Hoq acidity function. The pK, values were also measured for the corresponding series of N-methyl 4-(X-phenylsulfonylmethy1)pyridiniurn cations (2) (pK, = 11.27 (X = H); p = 1.45) and also for a series of N-(X-benzyl) 4-phenylsulfonylrnethylpyridinium cations (7) (pK, = 10.70 (X = H); p = 0.65) in aqueous solution (ionic strength 0.1 at 25'C). Comparison of the substituent effects upon the pK, values of the sulfonyl-activated carbon acids 2, 6 , and 7 with the substituent effects upon the pK, values of the corresponding three series of ketones gives insight into the electron-density distribution in the carbanionic conjugate bases of sulfone and ketone carbon acids. Extrapolation of a linear free energy relationship between the pK, values of neutral sulfones and ketones allows the estimation of pK, = 28.7 for the deprotonation of methyl phenyl sulfone in aqueous solution. STEFAN WODZINSKI et JOHN W. BUNTING. Can. J. Chern. 70, 2635 (1992. OpCrant i 25"C, dans des solutions de dimCthylsulfoxyde aqueuses et faisant appel i la fonction d'aciditi HOq, on a dCterminC les valeurs de pK, pour la dCprotonation d'une sCrie de 4-(X-phenylsulfonylrnCthy1)pyridines (6) (pK, = 19,89 (X = H); p = 3,O). On a aussi mesurC les valeurs des pK, pour la strie correspondante des cations N-mCthyl 4-(XphCnylsulfonylmCthy1)pyridiniurn (2) (pK, = 11,27 (X = H); p = 1,45) ainsi que pour une sCrie de cations N-(X-benzyl) 4-(X-phCnylsulfonylmCthy1)pyridinium (7) (pK, = 10,70 (X = H); p = 0,65) en solution aqueuse (force ionique de 0 , l i 25°C). Une comparaison des effets de substituants sur les valeurs de pK, des acides carbonks 2, 6 et 7, activCs par le sulfonyle, avec les effets de substituants sur les valeurs des pK, des trois sCries de cCtones correspondantes Cclaire notre comprChension de la distribution de la densite Clectronique dans les bases carbanioniques conjuguCes des acides carbonks de sulfones et de cCtones. Une extrapolation de la relation d'knergie libre linCaire entre les valeurs de pK, des sulfones et des cCtones neutres perrnet dlCvaluer i 28,7 la valeur du pK, pour la dCprotonation de la methyl phCnyl sulfone, en solution aqueuse.[Traduit par la redaction]There have been relatively few quantitative measurements of the thermodynamic acidities of sulfonyl-activated carbon acids in aqueous solution. The acidities of bis(methylsulfonyl)methane ((CH,SO2),CH2, pK,, = 12.5 (1-3)) and bis(phenylsulfonyl)methane ((C6H5S02),CH,, pK, = 1 1.2 1 (1)) have been measured in water, and related cyclic 1,3-disulfones have been found, depending upon ring size, to be up to 1.5 pK, units more acidic (eight-membered ring) or less acidic (five-membered ring) than these acyclic sulfones (1). a-Methylation of disulfones leads to a significant decrease in acidity ((C,H,SO,),CHR, pK, = 12.20 for R = H, pK, = 14.56 for R = CH, (3a); (C6H5S02)2CHR, pK,...