selective, efficient, and simple method for direct transamidation of thioamides with amines, promoted by commercially available acetophenone under metal-/solvent-free conditions. The reaction tolerated a wide range of functional groups and substrates, including single- or double-thioamides, benzylamines, or alkyl/cycloalkyl-substituted aliphatic amines. The present protocol can be applied to gram-scale in
The aminolyses of the title substrates with anilines and benzylamines are investigated in acetonitrile. A clean second-order kinetics is obtained with a first-order rate law in the amine concentration, which is uncomplicated by the fast proton transfer step. The large magnitude of rho(z) (rho(1g)) as well as rho(x) (rho(nuc)) together with relatively large positive p(xz) values is consistent with a stepwise mechanism in which thiophenolate ion expulsion from the intermediate is rate limiting. For the reactions of aryl dithio-2-thiophenates with benzylamines the magnitude of rho(x) and rho(z) values is relatively smaller suggesting that both the addition and expulsion of thiophenolate are partially rate determining. Relatively large secondary kinetic isotope effects, k(H)/k(D) greater than or equal to 1.7, with deuterated nucleophiles, support involvement a concurrent proton transfer to the departing thiophenolate ion in the transition state. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.