Synthesis of 2-benzylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazoles through palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of acetylenic compounds

The reaction of 2-imino-3-(2-propynyl)-1,3-benzothiazole with various iodobenzenes in the presence of a palladium catalyst leads to cyclization to 2-benzylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]benzothiazoles.