Photocatalytic synthesis of unsymmetrical thiourea derivatives via visible-light irradiation using nitrogen-doped ZnO nanorods

An efficient, mild, and environmentally friendly route has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical thiourea derivatives in moderate yields from the reaction of tertiary aromatic and aliphatic amines with phenyl-iso-thiocyanate in the presence of N-ZnO as a photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation. This method provides a pathway to actives the tertiary aromatic and aliphatic amines via C-N bond cleavage.