Water and ionic liquid synergy: A novel approach for the synthesis of benzothiazole-2(3H)-one

Synergy between water, a green reaction medium and ionic liquid, a green catalyst has opened new vistas in the field of organic transformation. The developed methodology has emerged as an interesting combination for an environmentally benign, facile and efficient synthesis of benzothiazole-2(3H)-one. Product was achieved in excellent yield by the reaction of structurally diverse 2-iodoanilines with potassium thiocyanate. The strategy involves nucleophilic substitution forming NC and SC bonds resulting in the desired heterocyclic scaffold. This novel approach is also helpful for the synthesis of other related heterocycles for the development of an important drug like library. The reaction proceeded smoothly at an ambient temperature.