Ferric(III) Chloride-Promoted Efficient Thiocyanation of Arylalkenes: A Facile Synthesis of Dithiocyanates

Anhydrous FeCl3 oxidizes potassium thiocyanate to the corresponding radical and promotes subsequent addition to nucleophilic olefins to produce dithiocyanate derivatives under mild conditions with high efficiency. Excellent yields and chemoselectivities together with the environmental-friendly nature of the Fe(III) chloride makes this method an attractive alternative to established methods. The use of ferric chloride makes it quite simple, more convenient and practical. This new method offers several advantages such as high conversions, cleaner reaction profiles, short reaction times, and the use of inexpensive and readily available catalyst.