Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed direct ortho-fluorination of 2-arylbenzothiazoles with an electrophilic fluoride N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI)

An efficient protocol was developed for regio-selective Pd-catalyzed direct ortho-fluorination of 2-arylbenzo[d]thiazoles using N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the F+ source, and l-proline as the crucial promoter. The present method offered a practical route to synthesize valuable fluorinated products, which are of potential importance in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.