Regioselective Synthesis of 2-Imino-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones by Treatment ofN-(Anthracen-9-yl)-N′-ethylthiourea with Bromoacetic Acid Derivatives

The reaction between N-(anthracen-9-yl)-N′-ethylthiourea (1) and methyl bromoacetate yielded mainly 2-[(anthracen-9-yl)imino]-3-ethyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one (2), together with some of the regioisomeric 3-(anthracen-9-yl)-2-ethylimino-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one (3). The structures of the products were elucidated by NMR techniques and, for 3, X-ray crystallographic analysis. Treatment of 1 with bromoacetyl bromide again yielded 2 and 3, but with a reversed product distribution ratio, thus providing an interesting and unexpected regioselectivity, depending on the electrophile selected. The underlying cause of the observed regioselectivity is a result of different reaction pathways taken by the two e…