Direct arylation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles and thiazoles with aryl iodides via CuCl2/PPh3-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization

With PPh3 acting as a ligand, a convenient method for CuCl2‐catalyzed arylation of imidazo[1,2‐b]thiazoles and thiazoles with aryl iodides under mild reaction conditions is described. Preliminary mechanistic studies of this arylation involving a formal Cu(I) to Cu(0) and Cu(II) route by convergent disproportionation of the copper mediator are also reported. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A new CuCl2/PPh3‐catalyzed arylation of imidazo[1,2‐b]thiazoles and thiazoles with aryl iodides has been developed. Preliminary mechanistic studies of this arylation are also reported. This protocol provides a straightforward and operationally simple method for the synthesis of trisubstituted imidazo[1,2‐b]thiazoles and trisubstituted thiazoles.