Synthesis of N-sulfonyl amidines and acyl sulfonyl ureas from sulfonyl azides, carbon monoxide, and amides

A Pd-catalyzed and ligand-free carbonylation/cycloaddition/decarboxylation cascade synthesis of sulfonyl amidines from sulfonyl azides and substituted amides at low CO pressure is reported. The reaction proceeds via an initial Pd-catalyzed carbonylative generation of sulfonyl isocyanates from sulfonyl azides, followed by a [2 + 2] cycloaddition with amides and subsequent decarboxylation, which liberates the desired sulfonyl amidines, generating N₂ and CO₂ as the only reaction byproducts. Using this simple protocol, a diverse range of sulfonyl amidines was obtained in moderate to excellent yields. In addition, the reaction can also be directed through a more conventional amidocarbonylation pathway by employing N-monosubstituted amide nucleophiles to afford acyl sulfonyl ureas in good yields.