Molecular iodine-mediated synthesis of thiocarbamates from thiols, isocyanides and water under metal-free conditions

Direct C-H Sulfuration: Synthesis of Disulfides, Dithiocarbamates, Xanthates, Thiocarbamates and Thiocarbonates

In light of the important biological activities and widespread applications of organic disulfides, dithiocarbamates, xanthates, thiocarbamates and thiocarbonates, the continual persuit of efficient methods for their synthesis remains crucial. Traditionally, the preparation of such compounds heavily relied on intricate multi-step syntheses and the use of highly prefunctionalized starting materials. Over the past two decades, the direct sulfuration of C-H bonds has evolved into a straightforward, atom- and step-economical method for the preparation of organosulfur compounds. This review aims to provide an up-to-date discussion on direct C-H disulfuration, dithiocarbamation, xanthylation, thiocarbamation and thiocarbonation, with a special focus on describing scopes and mechanistic aspects. Moreover, the synthetic limitations and applications of some of these methodologies, along with the key unsolved challenges to be addressed in the future are also discussed. The majority of examples covered in this review are accomplished via metal-free, photochemical or electrochemical approaches, which are in alignment with the overraching objectives of green and sustainable chemistry. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate recent advancements, providing valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of efficient and sustainable synthetic strategies for these crucial classes of organosulfur compounds.

Tunable Regioselective Allylic Alkylation/Iodination of Imidazoheterocycles in Water

The switchable roles of allylic alcohol and molecular iodine as reagents and catalysts have been demonstrated in the regioselective allylic alkylation and iodination of imidazoheterocycles employing the mixture of allylic alcohol-I2. First, we have explored the catalytic activity of iodine for the allylation of imidazoheterocycles using allylic alcohol in an aqueous medium. The allylation of a library of imidazoheterocycles and other electron-rich heterocycles like indole, pyrazole, 4-hydroxy coumarin, and 6-amino uracil has been achieved by employing this methodology. The efficiency of the I2 catalyst for N-allylation of azoles has also been demonstrated. Next, we have shown that this mixture of allylic alcohol and I2 could be beneficial for the iodination of imidazoheterocycles under room temperature. Mechanistic studies indicate that the activation of allylic alcohol by molecular iodine took place probably through halogen bonding, and NMR studies show that the reaction did not proceed through allylic ether formation.

Recent Advances in the Electrochemical Functionalization of Isocyanides

Isocyanides are well-known as efficient CO surrogates and C1 synthons in modern organic synthesis. Although tremendous efforts have been devoted to fully exploiting the reactivity of isocyanides, these transformations are primarily limited by their utilization of stoichiometric toxic chemical oxidants. With the recent resurgence of organic electrochemistry, which has considerably laid dormant over the past several decades, electrolysis has been identified as a green and powerful tool to enrich structural diversity by solely utilizing electric current as clean and inherently safe redox equivalents of stoichiometric chemical oxidants. In this regard, the unique reactivity of isocyanides has been studied in numerous electrochemical transformations. This review comprehensively highlights the most relevant progress in electrochemical strategies towards the functionalization of isocyanides up until June of 2022, with a focus on reaction outcomes and mechanisms.

Visible-light-promoted synthesis of secondary and tertiary thiocarbamates from thiosulfonates and N-substituted formamides

A general visible-light-promoted metal-free synthesis of secondary and tertiary thiocarbamates starting from thiosulfonates and N-substituted formamides is developed. By employing rhodamine B as a photocatalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant, a wide scope of thiocarbamates can be obtained through direct thiolation of acyl C-H bonds under irradiation of blue light at room temperature for 12 h.

Cu-Catalyzed Oxidative Thioesterification of Aroylhydrazides with Disulfides

An alternative thioesterification reaction via copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of readily available aroylhydrazides with disulfides is developed, in which oxidative expulsion of N₂ overcomes the activation barrier between the carboxylic acid derivatives and the products. The reaction produces various thioesters in good to excellent yields with good functional group tolerance. In the reaction, stable and easily available aroylhydrazides are used as acyl sources and the relatively odorless disulfides are used as S sources. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that the reaction of copper salt and oxidant (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ allows for achievement of tandem processes, including deprotonation, free-radical-mediated denitrogenation, and C-S bond formation.

Metal-free electrochemical synthesis of α-ketoamides via decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with isocyanides and water

A mild and convenient electrochemical protocol has been developed for the preparation of α-ketoamides via a decarboxylative coupling reaction of α-keto acids with isocyanides and water.

Metal-free C–S coupling of thiols and disulfides

A literature overview on C–S coupling reactions using thiols or disulfides as sulfur surrogates under metal-free conditions is presented. Reagents for the transformations include polyvalent iodines, peroxides, tert-butyl nitrite (TBN), DDQ, and aerial oxygen, among others.

Recent advances in the direct β-C(sp2)–H functionalization of enamides

Recent advances in the direct β-C(sp²)–H functionalization of enamides, mainly including arylation, alkenylation, alkynylation, alkylation, acylation, sulfonylation, phosphorylation, and others, are reported.

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-aziridines via intramolecular oxidative C(sp3)–H amination of β-amino ketones

An expedient strategy for the synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted via the intramolecular KI/TBHP mediated oxidative dehydrogenative C(sp³)–H amination reaction was presented.

Direct cyanation, hydrocyanation, dicyanation and cyanofunctionalization of alkynes

In this review, direct cyanation, hydrocyanation, dicyanation, cyanofunctionalization and other cyanation reactions of alkynes were highlighted. Firstly, the use of nitriles and development of cyanation was simply introduced. After presenting the natural properties of alkynes, cyanation reactions of alkynes were classified and introduced in detail. Transition metal catalysed direct cyanation and hydrocyanation of alkynes gave alkynyl cyanides and alkenyl nitriles in good yields. Dicyanation of alkynes produced 1,2-dicyano adducts. Cyanofunctionalization of alkynes afforded functional cyanated compounds. Thiocyanation and selenocyanation yielded the expected functional vinylthiocyanates and vinylselenocyanates. A plausible reaction mechanism is presented if available.

Cyanation of alkynes was highlighted. Direct cyanation and hydrocyanation gave alkynyl cyanides and alkenyl nitriles. Dicyanation produced 1,2-dicyano adducts. Cyanofunctionalization afforded functional cyano compounds.

Oxidative radical coupling of hydroquinones and thiols using chromic acid: one-pot synthesis of quinonyl alkyl/aryl thioethers

An efficient, simple and practical protocol for one-pot sequential oxidative radical C–H/S–H cross-coupling of thiols with hydroquinones (HQs) and oxidation leading to the formation of quinonyl alkyl/aryl thioethers using H₂CrO₄ was developed. This cross-coupling of thiyl and aryl radicals offers mono thioethers in good to moderate yield and works well with a wide variety of thiols. Similarly, this method works well for coupling of 2-amino thiophenol and HQs to form phenothiazine-3-ones 5a–c. C–S bond formation via thioether synthesis was observed using a chromium reagent for the first time. Theoretical studies on the pharmacokinetic properties of compounds 5a–c revealed that due to drug-like properties, compound 5b strongly binds with Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated AChE target sites.

Oxidative radical C–H/S–H cross coupling of hydroquinones and thiols and oxidation to quinone using a H₂CrO₄ system was developed.

Thio radical-induced denitrogenative annulation of 1-azido-2-isocyanoarenes to construct 2-thiolated benzimidazoles

A method for the synthesis of 2-thiolated benzimidazoles is described starting from thiols and 1-azido-2-isocyanoarenes. The isocyano group works as an acceptor of various thio radicals, followed by denitrogenative annulation of the resulting imidoyl radical intermediates to the azido group, with nitrogen loss as the only process involving high bond-forming efficiency. The one-pot method for the synthesis of these products with high functional group tolerance in the benzimidazole-based ring is not available in previous literature.

Iron(0)-Mediated Reformatsky Reaction for the Synthesis of β-Hydroxyl Carbonyl Compounds

An efficient, economical, and practical Reformatsky reaction of α-halo carbonyl compounds with aldehydes/ketones by using cheap and commercial iron(0) powder as reaction mediator is developed. The reactions proceeded effectively in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodine (20 mol %) to afford the synthetically useful β-hydroxyl carbonyl compounds in moderate to good yields.

Iodine-Catalyzed Odorless Synthesis of S-Thiocarbamates with Sulfonyl Chlorides as a Sulfur Source

A general and efficient protocol for the direct preparation of various S-thiocarbamates with readily available and inexpensive sulfonyl chlorides as an odorless sulfur source was developed. The employment of easily available reactants, excellent functional group tolerability, and mild reaction conditions make this process very practical.

Synthesis of β-Sulfonyl Amides through a Multicomponent Reaction with the Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide under Visible Light Irradiation

A multicomponent reaction of styrenes, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sulfur dioxide, nitriles, and water in the presence of a photocatalyst at room temperature is performed. This vicinal aminosulfonylation of styrenes with the insertion of sulfur dioxide under visible light irradiation proceeds efficiently with excellent chemoselectivity, giving rise to the corresponding β-sulfonyl amides in moderate to good yields.

Metal-free difunctionalization of alkynes leading to alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates at room temperature

A simple and practical method for the synthesis of alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates has been developed via stereoselective difunctionalization of alkynes with NaSCN or KSeCN at room temperature. Through this methodology, a series of alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates could be efficiently and conveniently obtained in moderate to good yields under mild and metal-free conditions by the simple use of oxone and PhI(OAc)2 as the oxidants.

Metal-Free Catalytic Synthesis of Thiocarbamates Using Sodium Sulfinates as the Sulfur Source

A novel molecular iodine-catalyzed protocol for the construction of thiocarbamates from readily available sodium sulfinates, isocyanides, and water has been described. The present methodology offers a facile and practical route to a variety of thiocarbamates in moderate to good yields with favorable functional group tolerance by use odorless sodium sulfinates as the sulfur source. The mechanistic studies suggest the present transformation involves a radical process.

Photoredox-catalyzed hydrosulfonylation reaction of electron-deficient alkenes with substituted Hantzsch esters and sulfur dioxide

A sulfonylation reaction of 4-substituted Hantzsch esters, DABCO·(SO₂)₂, and electron-deficient alkenes at room temperature in the presence of photoredox catalysis under visible light irradiation is described.

An unexpected reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sodium metabisulfite, and thiourea under photoinduced conditions

A photoinduced synthesis of S-aryl thiosulfonates through a three-component reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, sodium metabisulfite, and thiourea is achieved. In this transformation, a radical coupling pathway is proposed.

Visible-light-mediated difunctionalization of vinylcyclopropanes for the synthesis of 1-sulfonylmethyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalenes

An efficient method for the visible-light-mediated sulfonylation/arylation of the C–C σ-bond in vinylcyclopropanes with sulfonyl chlorides to synthesize 1-sulfonylmethyl-substituted 3,4-dihydronaphalenes has been developed.

Synthesis of β-hydroxysulfones through a copper(ii)-catalyzed multicomponent reaction with the insertion of sulfur dioxide

A copper(ii)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative reaction of arylhydrazines, DABCO·(SO₂)₂ and alkenes is reported. Diverse β-hydroxysulfones are generated in moderate to good yields through the hydroxysulfonylation of alkenes with the insertion of sulfur dioxide under mild conditions. In some cases, β-ketosulfones are produced.

Silver-mediated oxidative C–C bond sulfonylation/arylation of methylenecyclopropanes with sodium sulfinates: facile access to 3-sulfonyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes

The novel AgNO₃-mediated sulfonylation/arylation of a C–C σ-bond in MCPs with sodium sulfinates to synthesize 3-sulfonylated 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes is reported.

Visible-light-induced cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of N-propargylindoles with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates via the insertion of sulfur dioxide

A simple and efficient visible-light-catalyzed cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of N-propargylindoles with K₂S₂O₅ and aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates for the construction of 2-sulfonyl-substituted 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles is developed.

Metal-catalyzed radical-type transformation of unactivated alkyl halides with C–C bond formation under photoinduced conditions

Recent advances in the metal-catalyzed radical-type transformation of unactivated alkyl halides with C–C bond formation under photoinduced conditions are summarized. Usually, a broad reaction scope is observed including tertiary, secondary, and primary alkyl halides, with good functional group compatibility.

Photoredox-catalyzed sulfonylation of alkenylcyclobutanols with the insertion of sulfur dioxide through semipinacol rearrangement

A photoredox-catalyzed sulfonylation of alkenylcyclobutanols with the insertion of sulfur dioxide through semipinacol rearrangement under visible light irradiation is developed.