A low-cost electrochemical thio- and selenocyanation strategy for electron-rich arenes under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions.

A low-cost and efficient thio- and selenocyanation strategy for electron-rich arenes has been developed under constant-current electrolytic conditions in an undivided cell. This strategy is versatile for various (hetero)aromatic compounds such as indole, pyrrole, aniline and anisole under mild conditions without any catalyst or oxidant. Readily available salts NHSCN and KSeCN are employed respectively as the sole reagent.