Synthesis of 2-(ethylsulfanyl)aniline derivatives through the unexpected ring opening of N-substituted-2(3H)-benzothiazolones

The decarbalkoxylations of disubstituted geminal diesters by water–DMSO with added salts (KCN or NaCN) is a convenient preparative route leading to the corresponding monoesters. Herein, we described an efficient and very simple methodology for the preparation of 2-(ethylsulfanyl)aniline derivatives through the unexpected ring opening of the corresponding N-substituted-2(3H)-benzothiazolones in the presence of disubstituted geminal diester, KCN, and water–DMSO.