Oxidative cyclization of N-alkyl-o-methyl-arenesulfonamides to biologically important saccharin derivatives

Various biologically important saccharin skeletons and their N-alkyl derivatives have been efficiently prepared by chromium(VI) oxide catalyzed H₅IO₆ oxidation of N-alkyl-o-methyl-arenesulfonamides in acetonitrile. N-tert-Butyl saccharin skeletons were easily prepared by H₅IO₆-CrO₃ oxidation of N-tert-butyl-o-methyl arenesulfonamides in the presence of acetic anhydride. The method that furnished the novel fluoro and trifluoromethyl substituted saccharin skeletons is characterized by two steps, a simple work-up procedure, a single purification and good overall yields from substituted toluene derivatives.