Specificity of the cyclization of 1-alkyl(aryl)sulfonylamino-9,10-anthraquinones into naphtho[1,2,3-cd]indol-6(2H)-ones

Cyclization of N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)methanesulfonamides to 2,6-dihydronaphtho1,2,3-cd]indol-6-ones in DMSO-KOH involves intermediate formation of 2,3-dihydroanthra1,9-cd]-1λ⁶,2]thiazin-7-one 2,2-dioxides, whereas heterocyclization of N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)-ethane- and -arenesulfonamides under analogous conditions occurs with participation of methylsulfonylmethanide.