A Novel Practical Synthesis of Benzothiazoles via Pd-Catalyzed Thiol Cross-Coupling

A convenient synthesis of substituted benzothiazoles from 2-bromoanilides has been accomplished. The various 2-bromoanilides were reacted with an alkyl thiolate in high yields using a palladium catalyst. The resulting sulfides were easily converted to the corresponding benzothiazoles via the simultaneous generation of thiols and condensation under basic or acidic conditions.