Synthesis of 2‑Arylbenzothiazole and 2‑Arylthiazole Derivatives via a Ru-Catalyzed meta-Selective C–H Nitration Reaction

A Ru-catalyzed meta-selective C–H nitration of 2-arylbenzothiazoles and 2-arylthiazoles has been developed. A wide range of functional groups are tolerated, providing the meta-nitrated products in good to excellent yields using Cu­(NO3)2·3H2O as the nitro source. The nitration could be carried out on a gram scale and used for the synthesis of promising therapeutic leads for human African trypanosomiasis.