2-Aminobenzenethiol, bound through its thiol function to the 2-chlorotrityl (Clt)-, trityl (Trt)-, 4-methyltrityl (Mtt)- and 4-methoxytrityl (Mmt)-resins, was acylated at the amino-function by aliphatic and aromatic acids. The obtained 2-N-acylaminobenzenethiols were cleaved from the resin by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid solutions in dichloromethane. The 2-N-acyl-aminobenzenethiols released from the resin were cyclised to the corresponding 2-substituted benzothiazoles, by standing in a solution of dithiothreitol in DMF or methanol for 1-3 h at room temperature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.