Base-Promoted Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Amides via C-N Bond Formation Using α,β-Unsaturated Acids and Isothiocyanates

Abstract

An efficient metal-free strategy is reported for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated amides from α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with isothiocyanates. In this protocol, isothiocyanates serve both as coupling mediators as well as amine surrogates, and the method avoids the use of metal catalysts, chemical oxidants, and additional activating reagents.