Molecular Iodine Mediated Preparation of Isothiocyanates from Dithiocarbamic Acid Salts

We have developed a general economical and environmentally benign method for the preparation of isothiocyanates from the corresponding dithiocarbamic acid salts by using cheap and readily available reagent molecular iodine. This is perhaps the most efficient method reported so far for the synthesis of isothiocyanates. The reagent is easily available and nontoxic, and the precipitated sulfur can be removed easily; hence, this method is most suitable for large-scale synthesis. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)