Reaction of arenesulphonyl halides with free radicals. Part 2

The generation of arenesulphonyl radicals by halogen abstraction from arenesulphonyl bromides and iodides is described. The relative reactivities of halogen abstraction by phenyl, 1-cyano-1-methylethyl, and benzyl radicals in benzene solution at 60° are reported. These relative reactivities are almost independent of the nature of the substituents on the benzene ring of ArSO2Br. Sulphonyl iodides are more reactive towards phenyl radicals than bromides which in turn are more reactive than the corresponding chlorides (relactivities 602:192:1).