Synthesis of 2‑Keto(hetero)aryl Benzox(thio)azoles through Base Promoted Cyclization of 2‑Amino(thio)phenols with α,α-Dihaloketones

An interesting base-promoted protocol for the synthesis of 2-keto­(hetero)­aryl benzox­(thi)­azoles has been developed. Starting from commercially available 2-amino­(thio)­phenols and α,α-dihaloketones, moderate to good yields of the corresponding heterocycles can be achieved. Notably, only EtNH₂ was required as the promoter here, and the reaction can be easily performed on a large scale.