An efficient synthesis of cyanamide from amine promoted by a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent

In a one-pot strategy we have achieved an efficient method for the synthesis of organic cyanamides starting from dithiocarbamic acid salts/amines. In this strategy the in situ generated alkyl or aryl isothiocyanates, obtained by the desulfurization of dithiocarbamic acid salts with diacetoxyiodobenzene (DIB) react with aqueous ammonia forming alkyl or aryl thiourea which on subsequent oxidative desulfurization with DIB led to the formation of corresponding cyanamide in good yields. Mild reaction conditions, shorter reaction time, an environmentally benign protocol, and easy isolation of the desired product make the present methodology a suitable alternative for the preparation of various organic cyanamides.