Acyl-isothiocyanates as Efficient Thiocyanate Transfer Reagents

An unprecedented transfer of a thiocyanate (−SCN) group from aroyl/acyl isothiocyanate to alkyl or benzylic bromide is observed in the presence of a tertiary amine. This process is most effective when the bromomethyl proton is less acidic, while the presence of a more acidic proton gives 1,3-oxathiol-2-ylidine and other related products.