Unexpected formation of benzofuran derivatives in the C-amidoalkylation of p-cresol with 4-chloro-N-(2,2-dichloro-2-phenylethylidene)benzenesulfonamide*

The C-amidoalkylation of p-cresol with 4-chloro-N-(2,2-dichloro-2-phenylethylidene)benzenesulfon-amide in the presence of H₂SO₄, oleum, or a mixture of H₂SO₄ and P₄O₁₀ was studied for the first time. It was shown that the reaction not only leads to the targeted 4-chloro-N-[2,2-dichloro-1-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2-phenylethyl]benzenesulfonamide but is also accompanied by unexpected formation of the heterocyclic derivatives 4-chloro-N-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-1-benzofuran-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide and 5-methyl-3-phenyl-2-benzofuran-2(3H)-one.