Iodine/MeOH: a novel and efficient reagent system for thiocyanation of aromatics and heteroaromatics

Indoles, pyrroles, oxindoles and aromatic amino compounds undergo smooth thiocyanation with ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of molecular iodine in methanol under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 3-indolyl, 2-pyrrolyl and 4-aryl thiocyanates, respectively, in excellent yields with high selectivity. The reactions proceed rapidly at room temperature without heating or the use of strong Lewis acids.