Fe‐Catalyzed Electrochemical C−O Bond Cleavage of Ethers to Access Benzazoles from Ethers and o‐Substituted Anilines

An efficient Fe‐catalyzed electrochemical synthesis of benzothiazoles from ethers with 2‐aminobenzenethiols has been developed through selective C−O bond cleavage of ethers under oxidant‐free conditions. A set of ethers have been converted to the corresponding 2‐aryl‐, 2‐heteroaryl‐, and 2‐alkyl‐substituted benzothiazoles in moderate to good yields. The method has also been successfully applied to generation of benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles with satisfactory yields and good functional group compatibility. Benzothiazoles: An efficient Fe‐catalyzed electrochemical synthesis of benzazoles directly from ethers and o‐substituted anilines through the selective C−O bond cleavage of ethers has been developed. A set of ethers have been converted to the corresponding 2‐aryl‐, 2‐heteroaryl‐, and 2‐alkyl‐substituted benzothiazoles, benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles in moderate to good yields with a wide substrate scope.