Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Activated Sulfonate Esters from Boronic Acids, DABSO, and Pentafluorophenol.

The synthesis of pentafluorophenyl (PFP) sulfonate esters based on the Pd-catalyzed sulfination of aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids is reported. The sulfinate intermediates are converted in situ to the corresponding sulfonate esters using a copper-catalyzed oxidative process, providing a broad range of PFP esters in good yields.