The phosphinoboration of thiosemicarbazones

This study reports on the exploration of the phosphinoboration reaction with several thiosemicarbazones (R5R4NC(S)NR3N=CR1R2). Reactions between either Ph2PBpin (pin = 1,2-O2C2Me4) or Ph2PBcat (cat = 1,2-O2C6H4) with thiosemicarbazones containing a terminal primary or secondary amine afforded boron-containing heterocyclic 1,3,4-thiadiazoline products in excellent yield. The addition of Ph2PBpin to thiosemicarbazones containing an NMe2 group in the terminal position generated novel five-membered heterocycles in moderate yield, which included boron, sulfur, and nitrogen atoms. Heterocyclization of the thiosemicarbazones occurs preferentially in the presence of functional groups such as acetyl and pyridyl groups.