Visible-light-mediated, photocatalyst-free synthesis of sulfonate esters from aryltriazenes

Sulfonate esters are valuable organosulfur motifs widely encountered in functional molecules and synthetic intermediates. Herein, a visible-light-driven strategy for the synthesis of aryl sulfonate esters from aryltriazenes is described. In the present study, a one-pot multicomponent reaction of aryltriazenes, alcohols, DABSO, CuBr₂ as the catalyst, and CF₃SO₃H as the additive was carried out under blue LED irradiation to generate aryl sulfonate esters. A variety of aryltriazenes were successfully used to afford the corresponding sulfonate esters in high yields under mild conditions. This visible-light-driven method provided a practical, mild approach to the synthesis of useful aryl sulfonate esters.