Efficient synthetic protocol for substituted guanidines via copper(I)-mediated intermolecular amination of isothiourea derivatives

Amination of S-methyl-N,N′-bis-Boc-isothiourea with either primary or sterically hindered secondary amines promoted by copper(I) chloride and K2CO3 gave N,N′-bis-Boc protected guanidines in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.