Temperature-Controlled Chemoselective Synthesis of Thiosulfonates and Thiocyanates: Novel Reactivity of KXCN (X=S, Se) towards Organosulfonyl Chlorides

An efficient chemoselective protocol has been developed for the synthesis of thiosulfonates and thiocyanates by employing cost effective and commercially available organosulfonyl chlorides with potassium thio-/selenocyanate. The strategy offered the thiosulfonates and thiocyanates selectively by tuning the equivalents of KSeCN and optimizing the reaction temperature. On the other hand, thiosulfonates were obtained as sole products when organosulfonyl chlorides were treated with KSCN. Furthermore, the syntheses of diarylthioethers and aryl(heteroaryl) thioethers were carried out as a part of synthetic application of newly prepared arylthiocyanates.

Automated summary

An efficient method for synthesizing thiosulfonates and thiocyanates has been developed by using cost effective organosulfonyl chlorides and potassium thio-/selenocyanate. Selective synthesis of the target products was achieved by tuning reaction conditions, and the synthetic application of newly prepared arylthiocyanates was also demonstrated.