Abstract

Background: The thiocyanation of indoles is a direct way for carbon-sulfur bond formation to access 3-thiocyanato-indoles. 3-thiocyanato-indoles exhibit potent biological and pharmacological activities and also serve as building blocks to synthesize many biologically active sulfur-containing indole derivatives.

Objective: The aim of this review is to highlight different approaches for the thiocyanation of indoles focusing on its scope and mechanism.

Conclusion: In this review, we have summarized various methods for the thiocyanation of indoles. Selection of new methods for the preparation of 3-thiocyanato-indoles will be done. The mechanistic aspects and significance of the methods are also briefly discussed.

Keywords: Organosulfur compounds, thiocyanation, indoles, oxidants, acid catalysts, electrochemical thiocyanation, photocatalyzed thiocyanation.

Graphical Abstract