A facile one-pot benzylation of sodium enolates using trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and diphenyl sulfoxide

A facile one-pot C-benzylation of various sodium enolates derived from methyl malonate, beta-ketoesters, a beta-cyanoester, a beta-cyanosulfone, ketones and a carboxylic ester is reported. Reaction of alkoxydiphenylsulfonium salts formed by treating various benzyl alcohols with diphenyl sulfide bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) (derived from trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and diphenyl sulfoxide) proceeded smoothly, and the corresponding C-benzylated products were afforded in good to high yields.