A Simple and Effective Methodology for the Sulfonylation of Alcohols and Aniline under Solvent Free Condition at Room Temperature

Sulfonylation is an important reaction in the synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive molecules and is one of the most important methods for the protection of alcohols and amines. However, many efforts have been made towards the development of novel methods for the preparation of the target compounds. Most of these methods are involved the reaction of amine and alcohol compounds with sulfonyl chlorides by using an organic solvent, a base, and under high temperatures. Herein, we introduce our findings on the sulfonylation of aniline, 4-nitroaniline, and some alcohols bearing electron donating or withdrawing substituents with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride under very simple conditions in the absence of any expensive additive, as catalyst, and under solvent free condition at room temperature.