Transition-metal-free cross-coupling of thioethers with aryl(cyano)iodonium triflates: a facile and efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of thiocyanates.

A novel transition-metal-free cross-coupling method for the one-step synthesis of thiocyanates via the C-S bond cleavage of readily available thioethers with aryl(cyano)-iodonium triflates as the cyanating agent is developed. This process features relatively broad substrate scopes, less-toxic hypervalent iodine reagents, mild operating conditions, excellent functional group compatibilities, and affords various thiocyanates in moderate to good yields.