Oxidative C sp3 -H functionalization of 2-methylazaarenes: A practical synthesis of 2-azaarenyl-benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles

Oxidative Csp3-H functionalization of 2-methylazaarenes using I2-DMSO in open flask has been described first time for the synthesis of 2-azaarenyl benzimidazoles and 2-azaarenyl benzothiazoles. Generally, methyl group of 2-methylazaarenes serves as a carbon nucleophile and in this work the methyl group served as electrophilic carbon (umpolung!) and condensed with o-Phenylenediamine and 2-aminothiophenol to furnish the corresponding benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles in high yields with good substrate scope and functional group tolerance.