Diphenyl sulfone
Diphenyl sulfone is an organosulfur compound with the formula. It is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents. It is a simple example of a molecule with a sulfone functional group.
Uses
It is used as a high temperature solvent. Such high temperature solvents are useful for processing highly rigid polymers, such as PEEK, which only dissolve in very hot solvents.Preparation and reactions
Diphenyl sulfone is produced by the sulfonation of benzene with sulfuric acid and oleum. For typical processes, benzenesulfonic acid is an intermediate. It is also produced from benzenesulfonyl chloride and benzene.Oxidation of diphenylsulfide with 30% hydrogen peroxide efficiently gives the sulfone in the presence of a tungstate catalyst.
Diphenyl sulfone reacts with butyllithium to give the dilithio derivative:
The dilithio derivative can be quenched with a variety of electrophiles