Smart cleavage reactions: the synthesis of benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles from polymer-bound esters

The preparation of an array of benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles from polymer-bound esters is described. Polymer-bound esters were treated with 2-aminothiophenols or 1,2-phenylenediamines in the presence of a Lewis acid to afford the corresponding benzothiazole or benzimidazole cleavage products. The reaction of 2-aminophenols with the polymer-bound esters failed to give the desired benzoxazole products using this procedure.