Abstract The synthesis of a series of methyl 3-amino-4-aryl (or methyl) sulfonylthiophene-2- carboxylates by reaction of 3-alkoxy-2-aryI (or methyl) sulfonylacrylonitriles with methyl thioglycolate in the presence of triethylamine is described. Hydrolysis/decarboxylation of the ester at the 2-position and acylation of the resulting amine represents a convenient route to 4-arylsulfonyl-3-carboxamidothiophenes. Attempted acylation of a title aminothiophene ...