Studies with phenylsulfone derivatives: Synthesis of pyrrole, thiophene and their fused derivatives

Diethyl 2-(1-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethylidene)malonate 3 has been prepared via the reaction of 6 with sodium benzenesulfinate. Compound 3 proved to be highly reactive towards various reagents and underwent numerous chemical transformation, resulting in the construction of a wide range of heterocyclic sulfone systems.