Carbene‐Catalyzed Formal [3+3] Cycloaddition Reaction for Access to Substituted 2‐Phenylbenzothiazoles

A carbene‐catalyzed oxidative cycloaddition reaction is developed for efficient access to multi‐functionalized 2‐phenylbenzothiazoles. A broad scope of heavily substituted arenes bearing 2‐benzothiazole groups have been prepared in good to excellent yields. The remote C(sp2)–H bond in the substituted arene products can be activated by Pd catalysts in regio‐selective fashion with the direction of the 2‐benzothiazole groups. A carbene‐catalyzed oxidative cycloaddition reaction is developed for efficient access to multi‐functionalized 2‐phenylbenzothiazoles. A broad scope of heavily substituted arenes bearing 2‐benzothiazole groups have been prepared in good to excellent yields. The remote C(sp2)–H bond in the substituted arene products can be regioselectively activated by Pd catalysts with the direction of the 2‐benzothiazole groups.