A new reaction of sulfenamides with electrophilic arenes under basic conditions is described. The σ adducts formed from nitroarenes and the anions of sulfenamides undergo elimination of thiol to produce the corresponding o-and/or p-nitroanilines. This reaction is analogous to the known alkylation and hydroxylation of nitroarenes via the vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (VNS). The reaction gives access to a wide range of ...