Conditions have been found for 1P-reduction of aromatic sulfonamides (conveniently monitored by electrical conductivity), using metala in THF/liquid ammonia on the preformed N-lithium salta (BuLi), without concomitant CS reductive cleavage. The resulting 1, 4-dihydro compounds could be alkylated, either in situ (in the case of simple unfunctionalized halides only) or, following isolation, after further N-alkylation and then forming the monoanion, or ...