A one-pot preparation of cyanamide from dithiocarbamate using molecular iodine

An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of cyanamides from dithiocarbamate salts via a double desulfurization strategy using molecular iodine is disclosed. Dithiocarbamates, by the action of iodine yield isothiocyanates in situ, which on treatment with aqueous NH3 give thioureas. The thioureas so generated undergo further oxidative desulfurization with I2 giving corresponding cyanamides in good yields. Environmental benignity, cost effectiveness and high yields are the important attributes of this one pot procedure