Ag/pyridine co-mediated oxidative arylthiocyanation of activated alkenes via radical addition/cyclization cascade process was developed. This reaction could be carried out under mild conditions to provide biologically interesting 3-alkylthiocyanato-2-oxindoles in good to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies suggested a unique NCS• radical addition path and clarified the dual roles of catalytic pyridine as
A novel and convenient oxidative radical cyclization of N-substituted N-arylacrylamides for the synthesis of 3-thiocyanated oxindoles has been developed by using AgSCN and K2S2O8 as the radical source. This process allows a consistent and convenient access to SCN-containing heterocycles bearing a broad range of functional groups in good to excellent yields (up to 91%). Moreover, the use of inexpensive