Metal free montmorillonite KSF clay catalyzed practical synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles under aerobic conditions

An efficient method for the synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles via montmorillonite KSF clay catalyzed condensation reaction between 2-aminophenols or 2-aminothiophenols and β-diketones is reported. The efficiency of the reaction reflects from the wide substrate scope with electronic differentiation on aryls. The reaction is metal free and proceeds without the exclusion of air or moisture, and further the catalyst can be recycled up to 3–5 catalytic cycles.