Bio‐Photocatalytic Green Synthesis of 2‐Arylbenzoxazoles from Toluene

2‐Arylbenzoxazoles were synthesized efficiently using an innovative, environmentally friendly, and mild system that integrates biocatalysis and photocatalysis. This approach employs sodium anthraquinone sulfonate (SAS) as a photosensitive agent within the same vessel, utilizing water as the solvent. This method effectively converts toluene, an industrial raw material, into the desired final products, which are drug backbone benzoxazole derivatives. The intermediates, benzaldoximes, generated in the initial step are fully utilized in the subsequent stages, and the plausible reaction mechanism is also discussed. This process, along with its satisfactory results, enhances the range of photocatalytic applications, thereby broadening the scope of unnatural reactions catalyzed by two commercially available proteins, porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) and hemoglobin.