Fast and high-efficiency synthesis of 2-substituted benzothiazoles via combining enzyme catalysis and photoredox catalysis in one-pot.

An efficient and green method, combining enzymatic and visible-light catalysis for synthesis of the widely applicable 2-substituted benzothiazoles, has been developed. This method features a relay catalysis protocol consisting of biocatalytic promiscuity and visible-light-induced subsequent oxidization of 2-phenyl benzothiazolines. The whole reaction process is very high-efficiency, achieving 99% yield in just 10 min, under an air atmosphere, nearly 100% atomic utilization, and the 2-substituted benzothiazole products were obtained in good to excellent yields with a wide range of substrates. This reaction is the other example of combining the non-natural catalytic activity of hydrolases with visible-light catalysis for organic synthesis and the catalytic system does not require additional oxidants or metals, which is good for the environment.