A p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) protection/deprotection approach toward the synthesis of 5-phenoxy-4-chloro-N-(aryl/alkyl) thiophene-2-sulfonamides

The synthesis of 17 phenoxy substituted 4-chloro-N-(aryl/alkyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamides using a PMB protection/deprotection strategy is described. Nucleophilic displacement of p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) protected 4,5-dichloro-N-(aryl/alkyl)-thiophene-2-sulfonamides was carried out with different phenols under mild basic conditions. Reaction times of 3–6 h and overall yields of 78–98% were achieved with the PMB group in place compared to no reaction without this protecting group. The PMB group was easily and selectively removed in 68–98% yield using TFA in DCM.