Tandem addition–cyclization of o-ethynylphenyl isothiocyanates with N nucleophiles; difference of cyclization mode between primary and secondary amines

Silver triflate promotes the 6-exo-dig mode cyclization of the N-(2-ethynylphenyl)thioureas, which were easily obtained from the o-ethynylphenyl isothiocyanates and the primary amines, to provide the 2-imino-4-methylidene-1H-benzo[d][1,3]thiazines as the sole product in excellent yields. The secondary amines reacted with the o-ethynylphenyl isothiocyanates to give both the 6-exo and 5-endo-dig mode cyclization products under the same conditions.