Arylsulfonate-based nucleophile assisting leaving groups.

[Chemical reaction: See text] The synthesis and unique reactivity of a series of arylsulfonate-based nucleophile assisting leaving groups (NALG) containing oligomeric ether units (including crown ethers) attached to the arylsulfonyl ring in the ortho orientation are described. The reactions of a variety of these ether-containing alkyl sulfonates with metal halides proceeded at substantially greater rates than electronically similar sulfonates. These ether-containing leaving groups also displayed marked selectivity for lithium halides relative to the corresponding sodium and potassium salts in nucleophilic displacement reactions.