Peroxides as "switches" of dialkyl H-phosphonate: two mild and metal-free methods for preparation of 2-acylbenzothiazoles and dialkyl benzothiazol-2-ylphosphonates.

Two mild and metal-free methods for the preparation of two kinds of important benzothiazole derivatives, 2-acylbenzothiazoles and dialkyl benzothiazol-2-ylphosphonates, respectively, were developed. The dialkyl H-phosphonate (RO)2P(O)H exists in equilibrium with its tautomer dialkyl phosphite (RO)2POH. TBHP triggered α-carbon-centered phosphite radical formation, whereas DTBP triggered phosphorus-centered phosphonate radical formation. The two types of radicals led respectively to two different reaction processes, the direct C2-acylation of benzothiazoles and C2-phosphonation of benzothiazoles.