Electrooxidative Thiocyanation of Hydroxy‐ and Alkoxybenzenes

Abstract We developed an original method for thiocyanation of hydroxy‐ and alkoxy‐substituted benzenes (including naturally occurring compounds) using electrogenerated thiocyanogen, (SCN)₂. The presence of zinc chloride as a Lewis acid significantly enhances reaction efficiency by activating thiocyanogen. Cyclic voltammetry of the reactants and their combinations was employed to optimize reaction conditions and investigate the proposed mechanisms. This method demonstrated broad synthetic utility, leading to mono ‐ and bis ‐thiocyanated arenes and various heterocycles with yields 36–97 %. Notable products include the neuroprotective drug riluzole and precursors for the antiprotozoal drugs toltrazuril and ponazuril.