SYNTHESIS OF ARYL THIOCYANATES FROM ARYL ALKYL SULPHIDES. CONVERSION OF UNACTIVATED ARYL HALIDES INTO ARYL THIOCYANATES

Abstract
Aryl alkyl sulphides, easily obtained from aryl halides, can be selectively dealkylated in HMPA by treatment with sodium, sodium methanethiolate or sodium methoxide. The resulting solutions, containing the sodium arenethiolates, when treated with BrCN or ICN, afford the corresponding aryl thiocyanates in moderate to good yields. A by-product is obtained in several cases to whom the structure of ArSP(O)(NMe2)2 has been attributed.