Cu-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Sulfuration/Annulation Approach to Thiazoles via Multiple Csp3–H Bond Cleavage

A novel and practical Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of thiazoles was developed. This chemistry for the first time achieved thiazole construction from simple aldehydes, amines, and element sulfur through multiple Csp3–H bond cleavage processes. Molecular oxygen was used as a green oxidant in this oxidative protocol. The substrate scope is broad with the tolerance of aliphatic amines. The mechanistic study might promote the reaction design for a new sulfuration/annulation reaction with readily available element sulfur.