Oxidant/Solvent-Controlled I2-Catalyzed Domino Annulation for Selective Synthesis of 2-Aroylbenzothiazoles and 2-Arylbenzothiazoles under Metal-Free Conditions

A simple and practical domino protocol for the selective synthesis of 2-aroylbenzothiazoles and 2-aryl benzothiazoles catalyzed by I-2 is developed under metal-free conditions. The reaction outcomes are exclusively controlled by the reaction oxidant/medium. With DMSO employed as both the solvent and the oxidant, an oxidation of aromatic methyl ketones takes precedence over the condensation with 2-aminobenzenethiols. On the other hand, when the reaction was carried out in PhNO2 or in 1,4-dioxane containing PhNO2, the condensation of aromatic methyl ketones with 2-aminobenzenethiols has priority to form imines which is followed by an oxidation of the methyl group from ketones to afford 2-arylbenzothiazoles as a sole product. The PhNO2/I-2 co-catalytic system is proposed first time.