Copper ferrite catalyst for direct arylation of acidic C-H bonds in azoles with aryl aldehydes

Coupling reagents toward direct arylation of C2-H bonds in aryl azoles are often limited to aryl halides. Herein we report a functionalization of the acidic sp2 C-H bonds in benzothiazoles with benzaldehyde derivatives. Reactions proceeded in the presence of commercially ready CuFe2O4 catalyst. Scope of functional groups included chloro, nitro, cyano, and ester groups.