Multiple applications of isothioureas as fine chemicals (or their precursors) are known, but a general sustainable method for their synthesis was hitherto unavailable. We report a novel general approach towards S-alkyl and S-aryl isothioureas through a copper(I)-catalyzed three-component reaction between amines, isocyanides, and thiosulfonates. The formal synthesis of a superpotent sweetener further illustrates the applicability of our method.

A new method for the synthesis of secondary thiocarbamates from readily available isocyanides and thiosulfonates with broad functional group tolerance is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions in isopropanol and is catalyzed by inexpensive sodium iodide.

A concise and efficient strategy has been proposed to synthesize indolizine derivatives from easily available aryl or heteroaryl methyl ketones, pyridines, and acrylonitriles. The mechanistic pathway involved the integration of iodination, pyridinium ylide synthesis, and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The protocols were found to be highly efficient in terms of high yields, operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, and easy workup. This method has provided an important supplement for the synthesis of indolizine derivatives via a novel tandem synthesis.

Multi-birds with one stone: A cascade coupling strategy was developed for the synthesis of β-carbolines. The method can direct the synthesis of β-carboline and isoquinoline-containing natural products with high yields. Moreover, this protocol can also be further applied towards the total synthesis of natural products fascaplysin and papaverin (see scheme).

An I(2) promoted domino protocol was developed to construct 2-acylbenzothiazoles from simple and readily available aromatic ketones/unsaturated methyl ketones and o-aminobenzenethiols. The reaction proceeded smoothly under metal-free and peroxide-free conditions.