Highly efficient AgNO₃‐catalyzed approach to 2‐(benzo[<i>d</i>]azol‐2‐yl)phenols from salicylaldehydes with 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol and benzene‐1,2‐diamine

Abstract

A new, convenient and efficient AgNO 3 ‐catalyzed strategy for the preparation of 2‐(benzo[ d ]azol‐2‐yl)phenol derivatives in good to excellent yields (63–98%) is described. The reaction proceeds via condensation/intramolecular nucleophilic addition/oxidation process between substituted salicylaldehydes and 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol or benzene‐1,2‐diamine under mild reaction conditions. Notably, this reaction utilizes cheap AgNO 3 as a readily available and low‐cost benign oxidant at low catalyst loadings with excellent functional group tolerance.