Interaction of Difluorocarbene with the Thiocyanate Anion: Access to a Silicon Reagent Bearing the Isothiocyanate Group

The reaction between (bromodifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF2Br) and potassium thiocyanate providing TMSCF2NCS is described. The process involves the interaction of difluorocarbene with the nitrogen atom of the thiocyanate anion. The obtained silicon reagent served as a source of the fluorinated group and difluorocarbene in the reaction with N-alkyl imines, affording 2-(difluoromethylthio)-4-fluoroimidazoles.