A direct and convenient metal-free method to prepare sulfonyl amidines in the presence of aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-HYDRO) has been developed. Different tertiary and secondary amines were tested for compatibility with the oxidative conditions and could be coupled with sulfonyl azides to form the corresponding amidines in moderate to good yields.
1-(Alkylsulfonyl)- and 1-(arylsulfonyl)benzotriazoles react with sodium azide in acetonitrile to give the corresponding alkanesulfonyl and arenesulfonyl azides.