Sulfonamide formation from sodium sulfinates and amines or ammonia under metal-free conditions at ambient temperature

A practical and highly efficient method for the construction of a variety of sulfonamides mediated by I 2 was demonstrated. The reaction proceeds readily at room temperature using a variety of sodium sulfinates and amines or ammonia in water in a metal-, base-, ligand-, or additive-free protocol. Primary, secondary and tertiary sulfonamides were obtained in good to excellent yields with a broad range of substrate tolerability.