Synthesis of ferrocenyl/phenyl isothiazole-3-thione and isoselenazole-3-selenone as new heterocycles

A direct one-pot synthesis for novel heterocycles, isothiazole-3-thiones and isoselenazole-3-selenones <i>via</i> the annulation of ferrocenyl/phenyl-β-chloro acrylaldehyde, amines and chalcogen powder (S and Se) has been established. The reaction was catalyzed by an environmentally benign iron cluster and Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O salt. The method is unique and rare as it consists of five consecutive bonds formation. Herein, all the 1,2 N, S isothiozole-3-thione and isoselenazole-3-selenone compounds are new and reported for the first time in this paper.