Cobalt‐Catalyzed Hydrolysis/C−H Thiolation Cascade Reaction of N‐Aryl Thiocarbamoyl Fluorides with Water: Access to 3‐Alkyl‐2(3H)‐Benzothiazolones.

A cobalt‐catalyzed cascade reaction of N‐aryl thiocarbamoyl fluorides and water has been developed, providing access to 3‐alkyl‐2(3H)‐benzothiazolones in 48–83% yields. This protocol for 3‐alkyl‐2(3H)‐benzothiazolones precludes bad‐smell and toxic reagents. Mechanistic studies suggest that the transformation proceeds through hydrolysis followed by dehydrogenative coupling to form C−S bond involving a radical process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]