Synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives through sequential Cu-catalyzed domino coupling and Pd-catalyzed Suzuki reaction

A variety of benzo[d]benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles were efficiently and conveniently synthesized from the Cu-catalyzed domino coupling of o-dihaloarenes with 2-mercaptobenzimidazoles. The reaction is also applicable to a series of multi-functional substrates, affording the halo-containing products with excellent selectivity. The brominated products can further react with arylboronic acids under Pd catalysis to furnish the aryl-substituted benzimidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazole derivatives.