Three-component synthesis of β-sulfonyl enamines and dienamines enabled by silver(i) acetate

Abstract

We have developed a novel three-component synthesis of sulfonyl enamines by reacting secondary and tertiary amines with sodium sulfinic acid salt, a reaction that is mediated by silver acetate. The choice of solvent determines whether sulfonyl enamines or dienamines are obtained. The overall atom economy of this multicomponent reaction was further improved by isolating the resulting elemental silver and reconverting it into silver acetate.