Cumulated double bonds isothiocyanates

This reaction takes place because diimides, —N=C=N—, have reactive cumulated double-bond systems like those of ketenes, C=C=0 isocyanates, —N=C=0 and isothiocyanates, —N=C=S and are susceptible to nucleophilic attack at the central carbon. In the first step of the diimide-coupling reaction, the carboxyl function adds to the imide to give an acyl intermediate, 9. This intermediate is an activated carboxyl derivative RCO—X and is much more reactive toward an amino function than is the parent acid. The second step therefore is the aminolysis of 9 to give the coupled product and yV,N -dicyclohexylurea ... 

Carbonyl compounds and other dipolarophiles containing heteroatoms react with miinch-nones. Thus benzaldehyde forms the betaine (245) which suffers ring-cleavage to yield the enamine (246 equation 65). Thiocarbonyl compounds and nitrosobenzene behave in an analogous manner. The action of dipolarophiles containing cumulative double bonds results in the formation of new mesoionic systems. Thus carbon disulfide and phenyl isothiocyanate afford a zwitterionic thiazole and imidazole, respectively (Scheme 25). 

A representative 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition process occurs with yV-aryl-C-(trifiuoromethyl)-nitrilimines, generated from the corresponding hydrazonoyl bromides, c.g. 4. under basic conditions. which can react with dimethyl fumarate and maleate,bicyclic olefins. and dipolarophiles containing cumulative double bonds. With sodium isocyanates as the dipolarophilc the cycloaddition reaction occurs across the C = N bond, while with potassium isothiocyanate it occurs through the C = S bond. ... 

In addition to activated olefins, other double-bond substrates, such as carbonyl and thiocarbonyl compounds and azomethines have been used ( ). Likewise, heterocumulenes, such as carbon disulfide, isocyanates, isothiocyanates, carbodiimides, and N-sulfinylamines have been added to nitrile imides ( ). While usually reaction occurs across one of the cumulative double bonds, with carbon disulfide only the bis-adduct LVIII could be isolated ( ). 

What is the mechanism of the coupling reaction of Rgure 23.47 Remember that other cumulated double bonds (p. 512) such as ketenes (p. 515), isocyanates (p. 918), and isothiocyanates (p. 1198) all react rapidly with nucleophiles. The related DCC is no exception, and it is attacked by amines to give molecules called guanidines. Carboxylates are nucleophiles too, and will also add to DCC (Fig. 23.48). 

Isothiocyanates (formerly known as mustard oils, 8-136) are compounds with a cumulated system of double bonds belonging to the heterocumulenes, compounds that are formally derived from the hydrocarbon allene (H2C=C=CH2). In small quantities, isothiocyanates are often accompanied by isomeric thiocyanates. Related cyanates and isocyanates do not occur in foods. 

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