1,2-Arylalkylation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides using aliphatic aldehydes as the alkyl source

A metal-free decarbonylative arylalkylation of N-(arylsulfonyl)acrylamides using aliphatic aldehydes as the alkyl radical source was developed, providing a series of alpha-aryl-beta-alkylamides in moderate to good yields. In this reaction, concomitant alkylation, aryl migration and desulfonylation were involved.