Thiazole, or 1,3-thiazole, is a heterocyclic compound that contains both sulfur and nitrogen; the term 'thiazole' also refers to a large family of derivatives. Thiazole itself is a pale yellow liquid with apyridine-like odor and the molecular formula C₃H₃NS. The thiazole ring is notable as a component of the vitamin thiamine.

Molecular and electronic structure

Thiazoles are members of the azoles heterocycles that includes imidazoles and oxazoles. Thiazole can also be considered a functional group. Oxazoles are related compounds, with sulfur replaced by oxygen. Thiazoles are structurally similar to imidazoles, with the thiazole sulfur replaced by nitrogen.

Thiazole rings are planar and aromatic Thiazoles are characterized by larger pi-electron delocalization than the corresponding oxazoles and have therefore greater aromaticity. This aromaticity is evidenced by the chemical shift of the ring protons in proton NMR spectroscopy (between 7.27 and 8.77 ppm), clearly indicating a strong diamagnetic ring current. The calculated pi-electron density marks C5 as the primary site for electrophilic substitution, and C2 as the site for nucleophilic substitution.

Organic Synthesis

Various laboratory methods exist for the organic synthesis of thiazoles.

• The Hantzsch thiazole synthesis (1889) is a reaction between haloketones and thioamides. For example, 2,4-dimethylthiazole is synthesized from acetamide, phosphorus pentasulfide, and chloroacetone.

• In an adaptation of the Robinson-Gabriel synthesis, a 2-acylamino-ketones reacts with phosphorus pentasulfide.
• In the Cook-Heilbron synthesis, an ¦Á-aminonitrile reacts with carbon disulfide.
• Certain thiazoles can be accessed though application of the Herz reaction.

Biosynthesis

Several biosynthesis routes lead to the thiazole ring as required for the formation of thiamine. Sulfur of the thiazole is derived from cysteine. In anaerobic bacteria, the CN group is derived from dehydroglycine.