A Simplified Approach to α-Ketothiocyanates, Thiocyanatoindoles and Chalcones Using Lithium Chloride

A novel and highly efficient synthetic methodology have been established for the preparation of α-ketothiocyanates, thiocyanatoindoles and Chalcone derivatives. The method employs Lithium chloride in suitable solvent as a catalyst system, which demonstrated its high catalytic activity by affording α-ketothiocyanates, thiocyanatoindoles and Chalcone derivatives with high yields, reaction rates were found to be satisfactory. This methodology is distinguished by its ability to produce highly functionalized chalcones and to perform regioselective thiocyanation of structurally diverse ketones and Indoles.