Metalation of alkyl aryl sulfones: qualitative and quantitative product determination

The metalation of methyl phenyl sulfone (I) and methyl naphthyl sulfone (II) was investigated under a variety of conditions. The product species were determined qualitatively and quantitatively after characterization with some electrophilic agents. After the primary metalation at the methyl position, species of various metalation degrees were prsent simultaneously, including the 1,1,1-trimetalated derivatives. With high LiR/sulfone ratios, in addition to the products of the primary metalation, compounds arising from metalation of the aromatic ring were formed as well as those from reduction, cleavage, etc.