Molecular-iodine-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of beta-hydroxy sulfones from alkenes

The synthesis of beta-hydroxy sulfones from alkenes and sodium sulfinates under aerobic oxidative conditions was achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of molecular iodine. Molecular oxygen in air serves as the terminal oxidant and the catalytic amount of molecular iodine acts as the sulfonyl radical initiator and peroxide reductant.