SYNTHESIS OF HYDROXYSULPHONE AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

摘要

1. Preparation of a Compound IV of structural formula: wherein R is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 alkoxy- C1-C4 alkyl comprising adding an anhydride to a first solution containing a solvent and a compound of formula I: wherein R is described as above, while maintaining a temperature of about -5 to about 50 degree C to produce a second solution containing a compound of structural formula II: wherein R is described as above, adding to the second solution of about 0.2 to about 2 equivalents of water based on the original amount of anhydride and an oxidizing agent, belonging to the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, periodate, perchlorate, and a product of electrochemical oxidation while maintaining a temperature of about 15 degree C to 80 degree C to produce a Compound III, wherein R is described as above, reducing Compound III to produce Compound IV and isolating compound IV. 2 The process of claim 1 wherein the anhydride is optionally in the presence of acids. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein R is methyl, the anhydride belongs to a group consisting of trifluoroacetic anhydride, acetic anhydride, or trichloroacetic anhydride, the solvent belongs to a group consisting of toluene, benzene, cyclohexane, heptane, or xylene 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the anhydride is trifluoroacetic anhydride, the solvent is toluene and the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. 5. The process of claim 1 wherein a temperature of about 20 degree C to 40 degree C is maintained while the anhydride is added and the oxidizing temperature is 20 degree C to about 60 degree C. 6. The process of claim 2 wherein the acid belongs to the group consisting of carboxylic acids and inorganic acids. 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the inorganic acids belong to the group consisting of phosphoric, polyphosphoric, orthophosphoric acids and phosphorus pentoxide. 8. The process of claim 5 wherein at least 2 mole equivalents of oxidizing agent is added. 9. Preparation of a Compound IV of structural formula: wherein R is methyl, comprising adding trifluoroacetic anhydride to a first solution containing toluene and a compound of formula I: wherein R is described as above, while maintaining a temperature of about 20 to about 40 degree C to produce a second solution containing a compound of structural formula II: wherein R is described as above, adding to the second solution of about 0.2 to about 2 equivalents of water based on the original amount of anhydride and hydrogen peroxide, while maintaining a temperature of about 20 degree C to 60 degree C, to produce Compound III wherein R is described as above, reducing Compound III to produce Compound IV and isolating compound IV. 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 25 degree C to 35 degree C when the trifluoroacetic anhydride is added.