Straightforward microwave-assisted synthesis of 2-thiazolines using Lawesson's reagent under solvent-free conditions

2-Thiazolines are synthesized from carboxylic acids and 1,2-aminoalcohols in the presence of Lawesson's reagent Under solventless conditions. The developed method is Valid for either substituted or unsubstituted aminoalcohols and a wide variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids: thus it constitutes a general synthetic method for these kinds of compounds. The role of Lawesson's reagent is dual: to transform the 1,2-aminoalcohol into 1,2-aminothiol and to activate its reaction with the carboxylic acid leading to the formation of a thiazoline ring, all in one pot. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.