Electrochemical Synthesis of 3,5-Disubstituted-1,2,4-thiadiazoles through NH4I-Mediated Dimerization of Thioamides

A electrochemical method for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-thiadiazoles through NH4I-mediated dimerization of thioamides is reported. Using the inexpensive NH4I as electrolyte and catalyst, this electrosynthesis approach requires no oxidizing agents and enables the convenient production of diverse 1,2,4-thiadiazoles products. The approach is an example of S-N bond construction through the electrochemical method.