DMSO-mediated palladium-catalyzed cyclization of two isothiocyanates via C-H sulfurization: a new route to 2-aminobenzothiazoles.

DMSO was found to activate arylisothiocyanates for self-nucleophilic addition. A subsequent intramolecular C-H sulfurization catalyzed by PdBr 2 enables access to a wide range of 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives in moderate to good yields. This is the first example of a DMSO-mediated Pd-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiazoles through cyclization/C-H sulfurization of two isothiocyanates.