Hydrogen Bonding Cluster-Enabled Addition of Sulfonic Acids to Haloalkynes: Access to Both (E)- and (Z)-Alkenyl Sulfonates.

We developed an efficient synthesis of alkenyl sulfonates via hydrogen bonding cluster-enabled addition of sulfonic acids to haloalkynes. The reactivity of sulfonic acids could be significantly enhanced in the presence of strong hydrogen bonding donors. This metal-free method results in good chemical yields for a wide range of haloalkyne substrates and demonstrates good functional group tolerance. What is more, we can control the stereoselectivity of addition (cis vs trans) by varying the steric bulk of the sulfonic acid.