Mechanism of the alkaline decomposition of sulphonylnitrosamides: (IInd communication on sulphonylnitrosamides)

The alkaline decomposition of p-tolylsulphonylmethylnitrosamide with potassium hydroxide in ethyl alcohol yields chiefly diazomethane, together with ethyl and potassium p-toluenesulphonate. These products are compatible with a pseudo-catalytic mechanism in which the ethylate ion plays a main role.