N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Catalyzed One-Pot Aerobic Oxidative Synthesis of 2-Substituted Benzo[d]oxazoles, Benzo[d]thiazoles and 1,2-Disubstituted Benzo[d]imidazoles

Abstract

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC), generated in situ from easily available N-heterocyclic imidazolium salt with air as terminal oxidant, has successfully been utilized as a cheap and efficient catalyst for one-pot aerobic oxidative synthesis of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles, 2-substituted benzo[d]thiazoles, and 1,2-disubstituted benzo[d]imidazoles.