Electrogenerated radical-anions of 1,4-bis(alkylsulfonyl)benzenes can under
go two modes of reversible bond cleavage (depending on the stability of the
alkyl radical) to afford alkylated monosulfones and phenolates, the latter
of which can be trapped as ethers by reaction with electrophiles (alkyl io
dides). For starting materials with primary and secondary alkyl moieties, w
e propose that the initially formed radical-anions rearrange (via an electr
ophilic aryl radical) to give aryl sulfinate radical-anions which decompose
to yield phenolates and alkyl radicals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All
rights reserved.