Iodine-mediated regio- and stereoselective iodothiocyanation of alkynes in aqueous ethanol.

Iodothiocyanation of alkynes with ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) and molecular iodine (I2) has been demonstrated in aqueous ethanol, which enables efficient synthesis of a series of functional β-iodo vinylthiocyanates in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions without the need for any protection.