High yielding protocol for oxidative dimerization of primary thioamides: a strategy toward 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-thiadiazoles

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), a highly versatile reagent, was found to efficiently mediate the oxidative dimerization of primary thioamides in acetonitrile at room temperature leading to the rapid and expeditious synthesis of symmetrical 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-thiadiazoles in high yields.97