A convenient four-component reaction for the synthesis of dithiocarbamates starting from naphthols in water.

An efficient one-pot four-component condensation of naphthols with formaldehyde, carbon disulfide and secondary amines in water is described for the synthesis of 1-(dithiocarbamatomethyl)-2-naphthols and 2-(dithiocarbamatomethyl)-1-naphthols. By using naphthalene-2,3-diol in this protocol, the corresponding bis(dithiocarbamates) were obtained in high yields via a one-pot pseudo seven-component reaction. The reaction is characterized by a wide substrate scope, high efficiency, green solvent, catalyst-free conditions and straightforward isolation protocol. Employing this newly developed multicomponent reaction enabled the synthesis of 26 dithiocarbamates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]