A novel synthesis of 7-substituted benzo [d]-1, 2-thiazole-1, 1-dioxides 4 is presented including directed lithiation of 2, 2-dimethyl-N-(phenylsulfonyl)-propanamides 1–3, aryne- mediated cyclization and subsequent quenching of aryllithium intermediates with various electrophiles. A proposed mechanism is rationalized by some control experiments.