Convenient and robust catalyst/ligand-free synthesis of benzazole-2-ones through the reaction of aniline derivatives and sodium cyanate in aqueous medium

A novel, practical and green synthesis of benzazole-2-ones by the reaction of anilines with sodium cyanate has been reported. Good to excellent yields of products have been obtained under catalyst- and ligand-free conditions in water as solvent. This procedure avoids the use of time-consuming and tedious column chromatography and the products were easily isolated by simple extraction followed by washing with dichloromethane

Keywords:

benzazole-2-ones , benzimidazolones , benzothiazolones , benzoxazolones , sodium cyanate , green chemistry , water , synthesis.