Microwave assisted C–S cross-coupling reaction from thiols and 2-(4-bromo phenyl)-benzothiazole employed by CuI in acetonitrile

Abstract

A microwave assisted C–S and C–Se cross-coupling reaction was carried out in acetonitrile employing commercially available, low-cost CuI as the catalyst. A variety of substrates, including aryl, aliphatic, and heteroaryl thiols, were reacted with 2-(4-bromo phenyl)-benzothiazole, in acetonitrile using K₂CO₃ as the base under microwave assisted conditions at 80 °C, 200 W (100 psi) for 25–35 min, affording the required products in good to excellent yields. This is a novel approach, and we have synthesized a series of 17 new cross-coupled C–S and C–Se molecules.