CONDENSATION OF DIMETHYLSULFONE WITH AROMATIC-ALDEHYDES USING PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSIS

Some aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde on condensation with dimethyl-sulfone under phase-transfer catalytic conditions using triethylbenzylammonium chloride (TEBAC) as PTC yield cis-2,6-diaryl-1,4-oxathiane-4,4-dioxides (I) whereas 4-methyl- and 4-nitro-benzaldehydes give bis-styryl-sulfones (II). 4-Methoxybenzaldehyde and 1-naphthaldehyde afford initially a viscous liquid which on treatment with sodium amide give (I). All the compounds have been characterised by elemental analysis and spectral data.