Activator free, expeditious and eco-friendly chlorination of activated arenes by N-chloro-N-(phenylsulfonyl)benzene sulfonamide (NCBSI)

N-Chloro-N-(phenylsulfonyl)benzene sulfonamide (NCBSI) has been explored for the first time as a chlorinating reagent for direct chlorination of various activated arenes and heterocycles without any activator. A comparative in-silico study was performed to determine the electrophilic character for NCBSI and commercially available N-chloro reagents to reveal the reactivity on a theoretical viewpoint. The reagent was prepared by an improved method avoiding the use of hazardous t-butyl hypochlorite. This reagent was proved to be very reactive compared to other N-chloro reagents. The precursor of the reagent N-(phenylsulfonyl)benzene sulfonamide was recovered from aqueous spent, which can be recycled to synthesize NCBSI. The eco-friendly protocol was equally applicable for the synthesis of industrially important chloroxylenol as an antibacterial agent.