Synthesis of benzannelated sultams by intramolecular Pd-catalyzed arylation of tertiary sulfonamides.

A new and efficient approach to five- and six-membered benzannelated sultams by intramolecular -arylation of tertiary 1-(methoxycarbonyl)methanesulfonamides under palladium catalysis is described. In case of the α-toluenesulfonamide derivative, an unexpected formation of a 2,3-diarylindole was observed under the same conditions.