Improved procedure for the preparation of isothiocyanates via iodine-mediated desulfurization of dithiocarbamic acid salts

Abstract

We report here an improved procedure for the synthesis of isothiocyanates from the corresponding dithiocarbamic acid salts via a desulfurization strategy using molecular iodine and sodium bicarbonate in water/ethyl acetate biphasic medium. The reagents used are easily available, non-toxic, and cheap. High environmental acceptability of the reagents, cost effectiveness, and high yields are the important attributes of this methodology.