A Novel Synthesis of 2-Alkylthiobenzothiazoles and 2-Alkylthiobenzoxazoles.

3H-Benzothiazole-2-thione and 3H-benzoxazole-2-thione were selectively S-alkylated by use of O-alkylisoureas as the alkylating reagents. The reactions could be performed under mild reaction conditions in short reaction times, and high yields were obtained using O-primary-alkylisoureas, whereas low yields were obtained with sec- and tert-alkylisoureas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]