N,N′-Linked 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxides: synthesis, biological activity, and derived radicals

A number of N,N′-linked benzoannelated isothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxides, not available via oxidation of isothiazolium salts, were obtained with good yields by reaction of N-amino heterocycles with 2-chlorosulfonylbenzoyl chloride and evaluated for their inhibitory activity toward human leukocyte elastase (HLE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). 2-(Phthalimid-1-yl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide and 2-(2-methyl-4-oxo-3(4H)-quinazolinyl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide were found to be inhibitors of HLE and tested as potential precursors of nitrogen-centered radicals using 266 nm laser flash photolysis.