Selectivity of nucleophilic addition to and substitution at isothiocyanatocarbonyl group. Reactions of 4-pentinoyl- and 2-(2-propinyl)-4-pentinoyl isothiocyanate with amines and methanol

Abstract

4-Pentinoyl isothiocyanate reacts with primary and secondary amines by either nucleophilic addition to N=C=S group to yield the corresponding thioureas, or a nucleophilic substitution at the carbonyl group to give 4-pentinoic acid amides. The less nucleophilic diphenylamine reacts selectively to afford the product of nucleophilic addition only. 2-(2-Propinyl)-4-pentinoyl isothiocyanate, having a sterically hindered carbonyl group, furnished with primary amines a mixture of amides and thioureas, whereas the bulkier secondary amines react selectively to form thioureas only. Both isothiocyanates afford with methanol as a nucleophile exclusively the corresponding O-methyl monothiocarbamates.