The compounds of the formula CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 CX.sub.2 SO.sub.2 NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 in which X is chloro or bromo and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are hydrogen, 1 to 16 carbon atom alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl and together with the nitrogen atom represent a heterocycle which may contain an oxygen atom or another nitrogen atom in the heterocycle. The compounds are prepared by reacting the corresponding 1-(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonamide with alkali metal hypohalite in the presence of an organic solvent. The compounds have antimicrobial acitvity.
Compounds of formula (I) or salts thereof, ##STR1## in which J is a radical of the formula R.sup.1 SO.sub.2 --CR.sup.2 R.sup.3 --, R.sup.4 R.sup.5 N--SO.sub.2 --CR.sup.2 R.sup.3 --, or ##STR2## and wherein the radicals R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.*, A, W, m, n and 0 are defined as set forth in the specification, are suitable as selective herbicides and plant growth regulators.
The compounds of the formula ##SPC1## In which R is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halo, x is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 0 to 3, Y is halo and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, or, together with the nitrogen atom, form a heterocyclic ring also containing up to one oxygen atom in the heterocycle. The compounds in which x is 0 are prepared by adding chlorine or bromine to a 1-arylthiomethanesulfonamide in the presence of pyridine to form the 1-arylthio-1, 1-dihalomethanesulfonamide. The compounds in which x is 1 or 2 is prepared by adding sodium hypochlorite or sodium hypobromite to a 1-(arylsulfinyl)methane-sulfonamide or a 1-(arylsulfonyl)methanesulfonamide to form the 1-(arylsulfinyl)-1,1-dihalomethanesulfonamide or 1-(arylsulfonyl)-1,1-dihalomethanesulfonamide, respectively. The compounds are useful as antimicrobial agents.
Alkane sulfonamides with an electron withdrawing function .beta. to the sulfonamide group are topically effective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors useful in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma.
