Copper-catalyzed synthesis of substituted benzothiazoles via condensation of 2-aminobenzenethiols with nitriles.

An efficient and convenient method was developed for the formation of 2-substituted benzothiazoles via a copper-catalyzed condensation of 2-aminobenzenethiols with nitriles. The developed method is applicable to a wide range of nitriles containing different functional groups furnishing excellent yields of the corresponding products.