Riboflavin as Photoredox Catalyst in the Cyclization of Thiobenzanilides: Synthesis of 2-Substituted Benzothiazoles.

Benzothiazoles are synthesized from thiobenzanilides using riboflavin as a photosensitizer and potassium peroxydisulfate as a sacrificial oxidizing agent under visible light irradiation. The methodology accepts a broad range of functional groups and affords the 2-substituted benzothiazoles by transition-metal-free organic photoredox catalysis under very mild conditions.