Treatment of 2,4-dinitrophenol with sulfonyl chlorides in the presence of pyridine results in the formation of undesired pyridinium salts. In non-aqueous environments, the formation of the insoluble pyridinium salt greatly affects the formation of the desired product. A facile method of producing the desired sulfonate involves the use of an aqueous base with a water-miscible solvent. Herein, we present the optimization of methods for the formation of sulfonates and its application in the production of desired x-substituted 2,4-dinitrophenyl-4′-phenylbenzenesulfonates. This strategy is environmentally benign and supports a wide range of starting materials. Additionally, the intermolecular interactions of these sulfonate compounds were investigated using single-crystal x-ray diffraction data.

The crystal structure of the title sulfonamide, C10H15NO2S, comprises two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The S=O bond lengths of the sulfonamide functional group range from 1.428 (2) to 1.441 (2) Å, with S—C bond lengths of 1.766 (3) Å (for both molecules in the asymmetric unit), and S—N bond lengths of 1.618 (2) and 1.622 (3) Å, respectively. When both molecules are viewed down the N—S bond, the propyl group is gauche to the toluene moiety. In the crystal structure, molecules of the title compound are arranged in an intricate three-dimensional network that is formed via intermolecular C—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure was refined from a crystal twinned by inversion.

The sulfonamide moiety is present among a variety of biologically significant compounds. A facile synthesis is necessary to produce a variety of sulfonamides with the potential to improve human health. Herein, we report a facile methodology for the synthesis of 4-methylbenzenesulfonamides, amenable to a broad range of nitrogen nucleophiles. Implementing a semi-miscible biphasic solvent system resulted in higher yields, decreased reaction times, and a simplified workup over preliminary methods. Additionally, the crystal structures of five novel sulfonamide compounds and two polymorphs, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Results obtained through spectroscopic characterization support the successful formation of the desired 4-methylbenzenesulfonamides.

The title compound, C15H17NO2S, was synthesized via a substitution reaction between 4-methylbenzylamine and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming ribbons running along the b-axis direction. One of the aromatic rings hosts two intermolecular C—H...π interactions that link these hydrogen-bonded ribbons into a three-dimensional network.

The molecular structure of the title compound, C11H15NO2S, features a sulfonamide group with S=O bond lengths of 1.4357 (16) and 1.4349 (16) Å, an S—N bond length of 1.625 (2) Å, and an S—C bond length of 1.770 (2) Å. When viewing the molecule down the S—N bond, both N—C bonds of the pyrrolidine ring are oriented gauche to the S—C bond with torsion angles of −65.6 (2)° and 76.2 (2)°. The crystal structure features both intra- and intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds, as well as intermolecular C—H...π and π–π interactions, leading to the formation of sheets parallel to the ac plane.