Radical allylation with α-branched allyl sulfones

(Chemical Equation Presented) Branching out with sulfones: The use of allyl isopropyl sulfones solves the problem of premature isomerization and allows the radical addition of xanthates to α-branched allyl sulfones (see scheme; DCE=1,2-dichloroethane, TMS=trimethylsilyl). Highly functionalized structures can thus be rapidly assembled under mild reaction conditions by using cheap and readily available substrates and reagents.