Aromatization-Driven C–C Bond Cleavage of Unstrained Ketone Access to Vinyl Sulfones

Ketones, as simple and readily available bulk chemicals, have long been the focus of synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report a new protocol for the radical deconstruction of unstrained ketones by <i>in situ</i> conversion of them into dihydroquinoline (DHQ) prearomatics and subsequent oxidative aromatization. By combination with subsequent radical cascade reactions of DABSO and aryl acetylene, this protocol can convert acyclic and cyclic ketones and even ketone-containing complex natural products into a series of valuable vinyl sulfones in a one-pot, two-step method.