Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Applications of Thiocarbonyl Compounds

In recent years, thiocarbonyl compounds containing carbon–sulfur double-bond organic compounds (CS) possess unique structural and electronic properties that differentiate them from the well-studied carbonyl compounds (CO). Their polarized CS bond enhances their reactivity toward electrophiles and nucleophiles, making them valuable synthetic intermediates in organic transformations. These thiocarbonyl compounds readily participate in cycloaddition chemistry, radical, substitution, elimination, and addition reactions and serve as versatile building blocks in preparing various sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds. The thiocarbonyl functional group is formed from carbonyl compounds through the use of phosphorus pentasulfide (P₂S₅ and dimer P₄S₁₀), H₂S, and the most common reagent, i.e, Lawesson's reagent. They find medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry applications where thiocarbonyl compounds exhibit various biological activities. Over the years, they have been explored as antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, and antituberculosis agents and as treatments for hyperthyroidism. This article discusses recent developments in modern synthesis (2019–2025), reactivity, stability, and bio and material science applications of thiocarbonyl compounds, highlighting their increasing significance in sustainable chemistry and the development of novel therapeutics and novel optical materials.