Elemental Sulfur Mediated Decarboxylative Redox Cyclization Reaction of o‑Chloronitroarenes and Arylacetic Acids

A decarboxylative redox cyclization strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzothiazoles by the reaction of o-chloronitroarenes and arylacetic acids in the presence of elemental sulfur/N-methylmorpholine under metal- and solvent-free conditions.