An efficient conjugate hydrothiocyanation of chalcones with a task-specific ionic liquid

A new and efficient method of conjugate hydrothiocyanation of chalcones along with the preparation of a probe for demonstrating the utility of the resulting β-thiocyanato ketones in heterocyclic synthesis is reported. Chalcones undergo an efficient conjugate hydrothiocyanation with the task-specific ionic liquid (TSIL), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([bmim]SCN) followed by reaction with AcONH4 or an amine to afford chemically and pharmaceutically interesting 2-amino-1,3-thiazines at room temperature in a one-pot procedure. After isolation of the product, the ionic liquid [bmim]OH could be used for the synthesis of [bmim]SCN, thus allowing recycling of the TSIL for further use.