Synthesis of E-aryl ethenesulfonamides: a simple one-pot, two-step procedure from 1-hydroxy-1-arylalkanes.

The unusual reactivity of 1-phenyl-1-ethanesulfonic acid in thionyl chloride was investigated. Mechanistic considerations led us to set up a new and efficient synthesis of E-arylethenesulfonamides starting from 1-hydroxy-1-arylalkanes. The easy availability of the starting materials and the straightforward, one-pot procedure make this process an attractive method for the preparation of these compounds currently largely employed in chemical and pharmaceutical fields.