The Thermal Decomposition of Alkoxycarbonyl Thiocyanates and Isothiocyanates

Abstract

Alkoxycarbonyl thiocyanates and isothiocyanates have been decomposed thermally under reduced pressure at temperatures of 240–375°. Primary systems yield primarily alkyl thiocyanates, whereas secondary and tertiary systems yield alkyl isothiocyanates. The viability of using this reaction in a conversion of primary alcohols to primary alkyl thiols and secondary and tertiary alcohols to tertiary alkyl amines is discussed.