I 2 -Catalyzed transformation of o -aminobenzamide to o -ureidobenzonitrile using isothiocyanates

The present work describes an unexpected and unique protocol for the iodine catalysed synthesis of o-ureidobenzonitriles using o-aminobenzamides and isothiocyanates via intramolecular rearrangement. The metal-free route achieved here is insensitive to moisture and applicable to the synthesis of a wide variety of o-ureidobenzonitriles with excellent yields even in a scalable fashion.