Reaction of epoxides with triphenylphosphine–thiocyanogen (TPPT): preparation of α-thiocyanatovinyl ketones, vic-dithiocyanates, and vic-dithiocyanatohydrins
Abstract
A number of epoxides smoothly react with TPPT under mild conditions to give α-thiocyanatovinyl ketones, vic-dithiocyanates, or vic-thiocyanatohydrins, depending on the structures of the epoxides used. The reactions proceed site- and stereo-specifically, to give α-thiocyanatovinyl ketones from αβ-epoxyketones, threo-dithio-cyanate from trans-epoxide, erythro-dithiocyanate from cis-epoxide, and vic-thiocyanatohydrins from 1,1-disubstituted or fused epoxides, respectively. A possible mechanism for these reactions is put forward.