Solvent-assisted thiocarboxylation of amines and alcohols with carbon monoxide and sulfur under mild conditions

DMSO or DMF as a solvent strongly accelerated the thiocarboxylation of amines and alcohols with carbon monoxide and sulfur. Under mild conditions (1 atm, 20 °C), this thiocarboxylation of amines assisted by DMSO with carbon monoxide and sulfur has been developed into a practical and convenient synthetic method for S-alkyl thiocarbamates in good to excellent yields, including EPTC, thiobencarb, orbencarb, and molinate (herbicides). DMF also showed the similar solvent effect. NMP slightly decreased the effect for the thiocarboxylation of amines, and the yield of S-alkyl thiocarbamate was lowered in DMAc. Surprisingly, no formation of S-alkyl thiocarbamate was observed at the use of the other solvents, such as THF, hexane, toluene, AcOEt, MeCN, MeOH, and H₂O. The present solvent-assisted thiocarboxylation with carbon monoxide and sulfur could be also applied to a new synthesis of S-alkyl O-alkyl carbonothioates from alcohols under mild conditions (1 atm, 20 °C) in DMF using DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo5.4.0]undec-7-ene).