Synthesis of sulfonyl azides via diazotransfer using an imidazole-1-sulfonyl azide salt: scope and ¹⁵N NMR labeling experiments.

Imidazole-1-sulfonyl azide hydrogen sulfate is presented as an efficient reagent for the synthesis of sulfonyl azides from primary sulfonamides. The described method is experimentally simple and high-yielding and does not require the addition of Cu salts. Furthermore, (15)N NMR mechanistic studies show the reaction proceeds via a diazo transfer mechanism. Imidazole-1-sulfonyl azide hydrogen sulfate provides a considerable advantage over existing diazo transfer reagents in terms of impact stability, cost, and ease of use.