Ionic Liquid-Catalyzed C–S Bond Construction using CO2 as a C1 Building Block under Mild Conditions: A Metal-Free Route to Synthesis of Benzothiazoles

Abstract

The construction of the C–S bond using CO2 as a C1 feedstock can be considered as a green route for the synthesis of S-containing compounds and is of great significance. Herein, we report the acetate-based ionic liquids (ILs)-catalyzed synthesis of benzothiazoles via cyclization of 2-aminothiophenols with CO2 and hydrosilane under mild conditions (e.g., 60 °C, 0.5 MPa). It was found that the IL (e.g., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [Bmim][OAc]) served as a multifunctional catalyst with activating CO2 and hydrosilane to form a formoxysilane intermediate, as well as simultaneously activating 2-aminothiophenols through a hydrogen bond, finally resulting in the production of benzothiazoles. [Bmim][OAc] showed the best performance, and a series of benzothiazoles were obtained in high yields. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first protocol for the synthesis of benzothiazoles using CO2 as a C1 building block under metal-free and mild conditions.