Metal-free synthesis of sulfonylated amides through radical aryl migration-desulfonylation

A metal-free arylsulfonyl radical-triggered desulfonylation of N-aryl-N-arylsulfonyl-acrylamides under mild conditions for the facile synthesis of a series of sulfonylated amides has been described. The radical transformation simultaneously installs C-S and C-C bonds with concomitant cleavage of N-S and C-S bonds through continuous 5-exo-trig cyclization, desulfonylation, and aryl migration sequence. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.