Facile access to S-aryl/alkyl dithiocarbamates via a three-component reaction under metal-free conditions

The development of facile and convenient atom-economical methods for the preparation of organosulfur compounds from CS₂ is a challenging endeavor. Herein, a one-pot, environmentally friendly method to access S-aryl/alkyl dithiocarbamates has been demonstrated by a three-component coupling involving aryl/alkyl thiols, CS₂ and amines in the presence of a common base K₂CO₃. The transformation process can proceed in an H₂O–DMAc (3 : 1) mixed solvent without requiring any catalysts or extensive prefunctionalization of reactants. The protocol is operationally simple and affords dithiocarbamates with various moieties (including aryl, aliphatic, heteroaryl and alkenyl) in good yields.