Direct Synthesis of Sulfonamides and Activated Sulfonate Esters from Sulfonic Acids

A general new method for the preparation of sulfonamides and activated sulfonate esters by the direct coupling of sulfonic acid salts with amines and alcohols using the reagent triphenylphosphine ditriflate is described. A new reusable polymer-supported reagent for these transformations under heterogeneous conditions is also described. These methods provide a fundamentally new approach to making small molecules containing the sulfonamide functional group.