Metal-free TBAI-catalyzed arylsulfonylation of activated alkenes with sulfonylhydrazides.

An efficient metal-free oxidative arylsulfonylation of α,β-unsaturated imides with sulfonylhydrazides leading to isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives has been developed. The procedure involves the generation of sulfonyl radicals via cleavage of the S-N bond of sulfonylhydrazides with sulfonylation and C-H functionalization. The protocol uses the economical and environmentally friendly TBAI-TBHP catalytic system, and the corresponding isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones with various functional groups were obtained in moderate to good yields.