Synthesis of thiocyanates

Recent Literature

A practical, rapid, and efficient microwave (MW) promoted nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides or tosylates with alkali azides, thiocyanates or sulfinates in aqueous media tolerates various reactive functional groups.
Y. Ju, D. Kumar, R. S. Varma, J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 6697-6700.

A novel and highly selective method uses triphenylphosphine, diethylazodicarboxylate and NH₄SCN for the conversion of alcohols, thiols, carboxylic acids, silyl ethers, and silyl carboxylates to their corresponding thiocyanates.
N. Iranpoor, H. Firouzabadi, B. Akhlaghinia, R. Azadi, Synthesis, 2004, 92-96.

Ionic liquids [bmim][X] (X = Cl, Br, I, OAc, SCN) are highly efficient reagents for nucleophilic substitution reactions of sulfonate esters derived from primary and secondary alcohols. The newly developed protocol is very environmentally attractive because the reactions use stoichiometric amounts of ionic liquids as sole reagents without additional solvents and activating reagents. Moreover, these ionic liquids can be readily recycled.
Y. Liu, Y. Xu, S. H. Jung, J. Chae, Synlett, 2012, 23, 2663-2666.

A cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with KSCN salt to yield aryl thiocyanates is catalyzed by copper acetate in the presence of 4-methylpyridine serving both as ligand and base under 0.2 MPa of molecular oxygen. Various arylboronic acids were suitable under the reaction conditions.
N. Sun, H. Zhang, W. Mo, B. Hu, Z. Shen, X. Hu, Synlett, 2013, 24, 1443-1447.

Various aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds have been efficiently thiocyanated by using a combination of bromodimethylsulfonium bromide (BDMS) and ammonium thiocyanate.
D. S. Bhalerao, K. G. Agamanchi, Synlett, 2007, 2952-2956.

A simple and efficient FeCl₃-mediated method for the α-thiocyanation of ketones produces α-oxo thiocyanates in very good yields and with high selectivity under mild conditions. The use of inexpensive and readily available iron(III) chloride makes this procedure simple, convenient and practical.
J. S. Yadav, B. V. S. Reddy, U. V. S. Reddy, D. N. Chary, Synthesis, 2008, 1283-1287.

A mild oxidation of selected anions (N₃^-, SCN^-, I^-, and Br^-) by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in the presence of substituted cyclopropyl alcohols provides β-functionalized ketones in short reaction times. This method provides an alternative pathway to important starting materials and intermediates in organic synthesis.
J. Jiao, L. X. Nguyen, D. R. Patterson, R. A. Flowers II, Org. Lett., 2007, 9, 1323-1326.

Anhydrous FeCl₃ oxidizes potassium thiocyanate to the corresponding radical and promotes subsequent addition to nucleophilic olefins to produce dithiocyanate derivatives under mild conditions with excellent yields and chemoselectivities. The use of ferric chloride makes this method simple, convenient and practical.
J. S. Yadav, B. V. S. Reddy, M. K. Gupta, Synthesis, 2004, 1983-1986.