Iodine catalysed oxidative cross coupling of thioureas and amines without desulfurization

Iodine/tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) mediated synthesis of sulfenamides via oxidative cross coupling of thioureas and amines without desulfurization is developed. Diversely substituted sulfenamides have been synthesized in moderate to good yields in short reaction time. The present strategy further explored for the synthesis of functionalized thiazole derivatives. DFT studies and mechanistic investigations indicate that the current coupling reaction proceeds via radical pathway.