An efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles via electrochemically oxidative α-C-H functionalization of ketones with thioureas

An efficient one-pot electrochemical protocol for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles has been described from electrolysis of ketones with thioureas mediated by iodide ion. The electrochemical synthesis was conducted in an undivided cell equipped with graphite plates electrodes under constant current conditions. A diversity of aromatic and aliphatic ketones was suitable for the reaction, yielding the corresponding 2-aminothiazoles in satisfactory yields. Mechanistically, the in-situ generated α-iodoketone was proposed to be a key active species.