A novel and efficient iodine-catalyzed one-pot reaction of aromatic amines, acetophenones, and elemental sulfur for the synthesis of 2-aryl benzothiazoles is described. The process involves sequential C-S and C-N bond formation followed by C(CO)-C bond cleavage from readily accessible starting materials. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated under oxidant and metal-free condition and moderate to good product yields are obtained. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.