Transforming simple and readily accessible starting materials into branched allylic derivatives is of high interest. The stereogenic center is accessible for asymmetric synthesis and the allylic moiety offers versatile options for further functionalization.

Bernhard Breit and colleagues, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany, have synthesized branched allylic sulfones from terminal alkynes and sulfonyl hydrazides.

The rhodium/benzoic acid catalyzed reaction results in good to excellent yields and selectivities. The researchers state that their reaction mechanism is also applicable to other nucleophiles and their asymmetric variants.

• Direct Transformation of Terminal Alkynes to Branched Allylic Sulfones,
  Kun Xu, Vahid Khakyzadeh, Timm Bury, Bernhard Breit,
  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014.
  DOI: 10.1021/ja509383r