Benzimidazoles and Benzothiazoles from Styrenes and N-vinylimidazole via Palladium Catalysed Oxidative C=C and C-N bond Cleavage

Abstract Herein we report a first, palladium catalyzed, one-pot methodology for the synthesis of pharmacologically important benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles from readily available terminal aromatic olefins. The process involves sequential C=C/C-N bond cleavage followed by C−N/C−S bond formation.