The preparation of 3‐substituted 1,2‐benzisothiazole‐1,1‐dioxides from the condensation‐cyclization of dilithiated β‐ketoesters with methyl 2‐(aminosulfonyl)benzoate or 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one‐1,1‐dioxide

Several β‐ketoesters were dilithiated with an excess of lithium diisopropylamide, followed by condensation with methyl 2‐(aminosulfonyl)benzoate to give intermediates that were not isolated but cyclized to 3‐substituted 1,2‐benzisothiazole‐1,1‐dioxides. In most instances involving the ester‐sulfonamide, a single β‐ketoester tautomer is usually formed after recrystallization from ethanol. The same dilithiated β‐ketoesters generally condense less well with 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one‐1,1‐dioxide (saccharin) under the same conditions to afford the same products usually in the same or lower yields. The use of N,N,N',N'‐tetramethylethylenediamine during these syntheses has sometimes resulted in improved yields of products.