Copper-catalyzed solvent-free redox condensation of benzothiazoles with aldehydes or benzylic alcohols

An efficient and practical method for the construction of 2-aryl- and 2-alkyl-substituted benzothiazoles via a copper-catalyzed redox condensation process between benzothiazoles and aldehydes or benzylic alcohols has been developed. The reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions using environmentally benign tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. A reaction mechanism involving the ring-opening of benzothiazoles initiated by the attack of acyl radical on the thiazole ring and intramolecular condensation is proposed based on the isolation of an anilide disulfide intermediate.