Disclosed is a method of coupling an amino or hydroxyl compound with the amino portion of a sulfonamide via condensation with a cyclic thioanhydride. The reaction of cyclic thioanhydrides with amines affords amides functionalized with thioacids, which can be trapped in situ with preferably electron deficient arylsulfonamides. In this manner the cyclic thioanhydride serves as a linchpin in a three component coupling sequence.