Ultrasound irradiation promoted catalyst-free construction of formamidine framework using isocyanide as building blocks

Reactions of isocyanides with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 2-mercaptobenzoxazole afforded a series of compounds containing formamidine framework in moderate to high yields. These organic transformations were performed under mild and catalyst-free conditions. In addition to promoting the reactions, the use of ultrasound irradiation also allowed the process to be carried out under air atmosphere. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.