N, N-dimethylformamide.diiodine complex (DMF.I2) as an innovative efficient green catalyst in the synthesis of thiosemicarbazones by condensation of ketones with thiosemicarbazides

Abstract

In a drug discovery program aimed at finding new anti-trypanosomal drugs, we developed the N, N-dimethylformamide.diiodine complex (DMF.I₂) as an innovative and efficient green catalyst for the condensation reaction of aldehydes/ketones with arylthiosemicarbazides. The design of this catalyst was rationalized on the basis of a mechanistic proposal which establishes the existence of a catalytic loop regenerating I₂ at the end of the catalytic process.  In general, yields were fair to good at extremely low end catalyst concentration.  DMF.I₂ is the first catalyst that allows for high yield in the condensation of aldehydes/ketones with arylthiosemicarbazide at sub-micromolar concentration.