Synthesis of 3-aryl-5,7-dinitrothiochromane 1,1-dioxides based on 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

3-Aryl-5,7-dinitrothiochromane 1,1-dioxides are formed by the condensation of methyl (2-methyl-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl)acetate and ethyl (2-methyl-3,5-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl)propionate, which are the products of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene transformations, with aromatic aldehydes under conditions of the Knoevenagel reaction.