Efficient synthesis of N-acylarenesulfenamides by acylation of arenesulfenamides

Acylation of arenesulfenamides proceeds efficiently by using either perfluorocarboxylic anhydrides or acid chlorides in the presence of pyridine as a base at low temperatures to give N-acylarenesulfenamides. Some N-alkylcarbonyl derivatives exist with imidic acid tautomers in an aprotic solvent.