Ammonium iodide-induced sulfonylation of alkenes with DMSO and water toward the synthesis of vinyl methyl sulfones.

A novel ammonium iodide-induced sulfonylation of alkenes with DMSO and water toward the synthesis of vinyl methyl sulfones is described. The process proceeded smoothly under metal-free conditions with high stereoselectivity and good functional group tolerance. The reaction mechanism was revealed to proceed through a domino reaction of oxidation and elimination after the radical addition to alkenes.