Reaction of N-sulfonyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines with sodium azide

Depending on the conditions and the order of addition of the reactants, reactions of N-sulfonyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines with sodium azide afforded N-(3-azido-4-hydroxyphenyl)alkane(arene)sulfonamides, N-(3-azido-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)alkane(arene)sulfonamides, and N-(3,5-diazido-4-hydroxyphenyl)-alkanesulfonamides. Quantum chemical calculations showed that the reactions begin with addition of azide ion to the quinone imine.