A facile and convenient method for synthesis of alkyl thiocyanates under homogeneous phase transfer catalyst conditions

A simple and environmentally friendly method is described for the efficient conversion of alkyl halide to alkyl thiocyanate using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a phase transfer catalyst. The reactions occur in water and furnish the corresponding alkyl thiocyanate in high yields. No evidence for the formation of isothiocyanates as by-product of the reaction was observed and the products were obtained in pure form without further purification. (C) 2008 Ali Reza Kiasat. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.