Interaction of Difluorocarbene with the Thiocyanate Anion: Access to a Silicon Reagent Bearing the Isothiocyanate Group

The reaction between (bromodifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF₂Br) and potassium thiocyanate providing TMSCF₂NCS is described. The process involves the interaction of difluorocarbene with the nitrogen atom of the thiocyanate anion. The obtained silicon reagent served as a source of the fluorinated group and difluorocarbene in the reaction with N-alkyl imines, affording 2-(difluoromethylthio)-4-fluoroimidazoles.