Ring-Opening Thiocyanation Reaction of Sulfonium Salts with Elemental Sulfur and TMSCN

A simple and efficient strategy has been developed for the synthesis of organic thiocyanates through direct ring-opening thiocyanation reactions of aryl, alkenyl, and alkynyl sulfonium ylides using elemental sulfur and TMSCN. Using elemental sulfur as the sulfur source, this transformation proceeds under mild conditions without the need for metal reagents or malodorous materials. Notably, this approach features excellent versatility, as evidenced by its compatibility with scale-up synthesis and the late-stage modification of the corresponding products.