In this article, we demonstrate how an original effective "metal-free" and "chromatography-free" route for the synthesis of 3-thiocyanatopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines has been developed. It is based on electrooxidative (anodic) C-H thiocyanation of 5-aminopyrazoles by thiocyanate ion leading to 4-thiocyanato-5-aminopyrazoles (stage 1, yields up to 87%) following by their chemical condensation with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds or their derivatives (stage 2, yields up to 96%). This method is equally effective for the synthesis of 3-thiocyanatopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, both without substituents and with various donor (acceptor) substituents in the pyrimidine ring.
Keywords: 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds; 5-aminopyrazoles; anodic C–H thiocyanation; condensation; cyclic voltammetry; pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines; thiocyanate group.