Concise synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted thiazoles from β-azido disulfides and carboxylic acids or anhydrides: asymmetric synthesis of cystothiazole C

A novel and efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted thiazoles from carboxylic acids or anhydrides is presented. Based on this new method, the total synthesis of the bis-2,4-disubstituted bis(thiazoles) natural product cystothiazole C is also presented.