C2-arylacylation of 2H-benzothiazoles with methyl arenes via Selectfluor oxidation

[Display omitted] •An efficient approach for C2-arylacylation of 2H-benzothiazoles was developed.•Methyl arenes directly acts as carbonyl sources.•Wide substrate scope and good functional compatibility.•Metal-free catalytic system and mild conditions. An efficient Selectfluor-oxidative protocol was developed for the direct C2-arylacylation of 2H-benzothiazoles via the radical reaction of 2H-benzothiazoles with methyl arenes. Selectfluor can effectively promote the oxidative cross-coupling without an external catalyst. This arylacylation reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups affording 28 examples of the arylacylated products in 39–81% yield.