Krzysztof Kuciński and Grzegorz Hreczycho, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland, report the efficient one-step synthesis of N-trimethylsiloxy alkyl imidothioates (pictured above) from a range of aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic thiols. The catalyst-free reaction proceeds in the presence of nitroalkanes and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under mild conditions and is characterized by excellent yields and facile experimental techniques.

This unusual method demonstrates the importance of nitro compounds not only as solvents but also as valuable organic reagents and broadens the synthetic potential of HMDS.

• Highly Efficient One-Step Synthesis of N-Trimethylsiloxy Alkyl Imidothioates,
  Krzysztof Kuciński, Grzegorz Hreczycho,
  Europ. J. Org. Chem. 2016.
  DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201600768