Disulfonation of terminal alkynes for 1,2-bisulfonylethenes.

A highly efficient and operationally simple method for the synthesis of 1,2-disulfonylethenes involving a hypervalent iodineI(iii) reagent to promote disulfonation of terminal alkynes has been developed. This protocol provides a facile and practical pathway to selectively access (E)-1,2-disulfonylethenes that features good functional group compatibility, easily available starting materials, excellent stereoselectivity, and good yields.