Indoles, pyrroles, oxindoles and aromatic amino compounds undergo smooth thiocyanation with ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of molecular iodine in methanol under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 3-indolyl, 2-pyrrolyl and 4-aryl thiocyanates, respectively, in excellent yields with high selectivity. The reactions proceed rapidly at room temperature without heating or the use of strong Lewis acids.
