Palladium-catalyzed ortho-acylation of 2-arylbenzoxazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles using arylmethyl alcohols as the acyl source

A facile and efficient way for the synthesis of the acylated 2-arylbenzoxazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles by heterocycle-directed ortho-acylation was developed. This reaction was performed in chlorobenzene, using arylmethyl alcohols and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the easily accessible acyl source and the oxidant, respectively, affording the desired products in moderate to good yields.