Hypervalent Iodine(III) Sulfonate Mediated Synthesis of 6-Arylimidazo(2,1-b)thiazoles in Liquid PEG-400

PEG-400[poly(ethylene glycol-400)] is used as reaction medium in the one-pot synthesis of 6-arylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles by reaction with aryl ketones, hypervalent iodine(III) sulfonate and 2-aminothiazole. Significant rate enhancements and improved yields have been observed.