Rhodium-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Boronic Acids to Vinyl 2-Pyridyl Sulfones

Significance

Only a few examples of Rh-catalyzed addition of α,β-unsaturated sulfones with boronic acids are reported in the literature, despite the utility of sulfones in organic synthesis. This work describes a new efficient method for the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of boronic acids to β-substituted vinyl 2-pyridyl sulfones. The corresponding sulfonylated products are obtained in good yields and enantioselectivities up to 92% ee.