A Simple Approach to the Synthesis of 3-Substituted Rhodanines and Thiazolidine-2,4-diones

A novel synthesis of 3-substituted rhodanine and thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives starting from aliphatic primary amines, carbon disulfide, and methyl 2-bromoacetate is described. The reaction proceeds successfully both in water and under solvent-free conditions, but 2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (rhodanine) derivatives were obtained under solvent free-conditions, and thiazolidine-2,4-dions were formed when water was used as the solvent.