To safely produce a [2-(arylsulfonyl)ethenyl]benzene derivative useful e.g. as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, etc. in high efficiency by reacting a specific 2-(arylsulfonyl)ethanol with an acid anhydride and reacting the obtained reaction liquid with a specific aromatic halide.
The objective [2-(arylsulfonyl)ethenyl]benzene derivative of formula III {e.g. [2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethenyl]-2-methylbenzene} can be produced by reacting a 2-(arylsulfonyl)ethanol of formula I (R1 and R2 are each H, F, a lower alkyl or the like) e.g. 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethanol] with an acid anhydride (e.g. methanesulfonic acid anhydride) in the presence of a base and reacting the obtained reaction liquid with an aromatic halide of formula II (X is Cl, Br or the like; and R3 and R4 are each H, F or the like) (e.g. o-iodotoluene) in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a base. The base used in the above reactions is preferably a t-amine.
ORITA AKIHIRO
KURIHARA AKIO
