A convenient synthesis of thiazol-2(3H)-one skeletons from a reaction involving terminal alkynes, elemental sulfur, and isocyanates

An efficient copper-catalysed tandem reaction to synthesize thiazol-2(3H)-one structures from readily available raw materials is described. The protocol provides a cost-effective approach to a decent range of nitrogen and sulfur bearing heterocycles in acceptable yields. The transformation takes place with CuCl as catalyst, N-methylpiperidine as additive, and t-BuOK as base in anhydrous DMF as solvent.