Synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles from styrene derivatives mediated by 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydrantoin (DBH)

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazoles via DBH-mediated oxidative cyclization of styrenes and thioureas is reported. Various alkenes were successfully transformed to the corresponding 2-aminothiazoles in yields of 10–81% via a two-step one-pot manner using DBH as both the bromine source and oxidant. The method can be readily carried out in gram-scale and successfully applied to the synthesis of anti-inflammatory drug fanetizole using styrene as starting material.