A sulfite ester is a functional group with the structure (RO)(R'O)SO. When substituents R and R' differ, the compound is chiral owing to the stereogenic sulfur centre. They are commonly prepared by the reaction of thionyl chloride with alcohols in the presence of a base such as pyridine:[1]
The pesticide endosulfan is a sulfite ester. Some simple members include ethylene sulfite, dimethyl sulfite, and diphenylsulfite. Many examples have been prepared from diols, such as sugars.
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