Nickel Catalysis Enables Access to Thiazolidines from Thioureas via Oxidative Double Isocyanide Insertion Reactions

An efficient synthesis of thiazolidine-2,4,5-triimine derivatives was developed via Ni-catalyzed oxidative double isocyanide insertion to thioureas under air conditions, in which thioureas play three roles as a substrate, a ligand, and overcoming isocyanide polymerization. The reaction is featured by employing a low-cost and low loading Ni(acac)2 catalyst, without any additives, and high atom economy. This is the first example to directly apply a Ni(II) catalyst in oxidative double isocyanide insertion reactions.