PhICl2/NH4SCN‐Mediated Oxidative Regioselective Thiocyanation of Pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones

Main observation and conclusion The reaction of pyridin‐2(1 H )‐ones with PhICl 2 and NH 4 SCN enables an efficient regioselective thiocyanation, leading to the synthesis of the biologically interesting C5 thiocyanated 2‐pyridones in good to high yields. The mechanistic pathway of this metal‐free approach is postulated to involve the formation of the reactive thiocyanogen chloride from the reaction of PhICl 2 and NH 4 SCN followed with the regioselective electrophilic thiocyanation of the pyridin‐2(1 H )‐one ring.