Effects of phenylsulfonyl and t-butylsulfonyl on the reduction of β- sulfonyl alcohol derivatives with Na-Hg were compared. β-t- butylsulfonyl alcohol derivatives was not reduced to alkene under the same conditions as reduction of β-phenylsulfonyl alcohol derivatives with Na-Hg. β-Phenylsulfonyl alcohol derivatives were reduced probably via single electron transfer elimination, and β-t- butylsulfonyl alcohol mesylate underwent elimination via α- sulfonylcarbanion to give the alkenyl sulfone.

Key words: SULFONE, REACTION MECHANISM, SINGLE ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION, SODIUM AMALGAM, AMALGAM REDUCTION, AKENE COMPLEX