The HgCl2-promoted guanylation reaction was studied with various subst
ituted thiourea starting materials and the scope and limitations are p
resented. The process was found to be effective with thioureas contain
ing at least one N-conjugated substituent. Such activating groups incl
ude N-carbonyl-(acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, etc.), N-cyano-, N-su
lfonyl-, and N-aryl- substituents. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.