Advanced reagent for thionation: Rapid synthesis of primary thioamides from nitriles at room temperature

A series of aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic nitriles is thionated to give the corresponding thioamides in excellent yield using a newly developed reagent system of phosphorus pentasulfide and sodium sulfite or sodium dithionite at room temperature in a very short time (5–25 minutes). The microwave procedure of the reactions also is reported to afford the same products.