A convenient method is described for the single-carbon functionalization of bis (phenylsulfony1) methane via thiomethylation with N-(benzoylthiomethy1) piperidine hydrochloride (9). The thiomethyl derivative 10 was easily converted to olefin 12 and thence to the disulfone alcohol 1. In studying a similar approach to the tosyl analog of 12 some discrepancies with earlier structural assignments were noted and clarified.
