Reductive alkylation of thioureas: a highly practical synthesis of unsymmetrical N,N′-disubstituted thioureas

A highly practical synthesis of unsymmetrical N,N′-disubstituted thioureas by the reductive alkylation of N-monosubstituted thioureas with aldehydes is described. N-Monosubstituted thioureas can in turn be synthesized by the reductive amination of thiourea with an appropriate aldehyde. This reductive alkylation methodology was also extended to carbamates.