A facile and efficient formation of 2-aminobenzothiazoles by a copper(II)-promoted one-pot cascade process was developed. The desired 2-aminobenzothiazoles were synthesized in good to excellent yields (up to 97 %) in the presence of Cu(OAc)(2) and K2CO3, a variety of functional groups on 2-iodoanilines could be tolerated. The method features ligand-free and mild reaction conditions and good yields