Ti(O-i-Pr)4/Me3SiCl/Mg-Mediated Reductive Cleavage of Sulfonamides and Sulfonates to Amines and Alcohols

A low-valent titanium generated In situ from Ti(O-i-Pr)(4), Me3SiCl, and Mg powder in THF reacted with aryl- and alkyl-sulfonamides of aryl and alkyl amines In a reductive N-S/S-O/S-C bond cleaving pathway to provide the corresponding amines and hydrocarbons (and thiols) derived from the sulfonyl moiety. The reagent could also cleave sulfonates to the corresponding alcohols.