Mechanoredox-Enabled Isothiocyanation of Primary Amines Using Piezoelectric Material as the Redox Catalyst

Abstract

A novel mechanoredox-enabled synthesis of aromatic and aliphatic isothiocyanates from primary amines and carbon disulfide under ball milling conditions using a piezoelectric material (BaTiO₃) as the redox catalyst has been developed. This method displays several features, such as short reaction time, operational simplicity, room temperature and air conditions, minimal solvent, broad substrate scope, and recyclable cheap catalyst. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that highly polarized piezoelectric material acted as a single-electron transfer (SET) oxidation reagent for the key desulfurization process.