Efficient 1,4-addition of alpha-substituted fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane derivatives to alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds.

The 1,4-addition of a monofluoromethyl nucleophile to a variety of alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds has been achieved under mild conditions using either phosphines or potassium carbonate at room temperature. alpha-Substituted fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane easily undergoes Michael addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, esters, nitriles, sulfones, as well as propynoates at room temperature to yield the corresponding adducts in moderate to excellent yields.