An easy access to functionalized allyl dithiocarbamates from Baylis-Hillman adducts in water

A facile and direct highly stereoselective synthesis of [E]- and [Z]-allyl dithiocarbamates has been accomplished from acetates of Baylis-Hillman (BH) adducts in catalyst-free one-pot three-component coupling reactions of carbon disulfide and amine in water under a mild and green procedure with high yields. The reaction pathway involves the nucleophilic displacement (SN2′) of BH acetates by dithiocarbamate anions. The utility of these allyl dithiocarbamates has also been demonstrated in heterocyclic chemistry. © 2009 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved