Synthesis of functionalised sulfonamides via microwave assisted displacement of PFP-sulfonates with amines

A convenient microwave assisted synthesis of sulfonamides from PFP-sulfonates is described. Reaction of various commercially available amines with pentafluorophenyl (PFP) sulfonate esters under microwave irradiation led to the corresponding sulfonamide products in good yields and without the requirement for chromatographic purification. The data shows that a number of functional groups are tolerated in both the amine and sulfonate ester and that the method can be extended to heterocyclic sulfonamides of potential biological interest.