A Straightforward Access to [14C]- and [13C]-Labeled 2-Aminobenzoxazoles and Benzothiazoles via a KCN Polarity Inversion Strategy

A convenient one-pot synthetic access to 2-aminobenzoxazoles and 2-aminobenzothiazoles has been developed. The protocol uses KCN as starting material and proceeds through an in situ polarity inversion step. This approach provides a new valuable and straightforward entry to carbon-14-radiolabeled pharmaceutically relevant heterocycles and substantially reduces as well the amount of radioactive wastes generated.