Iron sulfide catalyzed redox/condensation cascade reaction between 2-amino/hydroxy nitrobenzenes and activated methyl groups: a straightforward atom economical approach to 2-hetaryl-benzimidazoles and -benzoxazoles.

Iron sulfide generated in situ from elemental sulfur and iron was found to be highly efficient in catalyzing a redox/condensation cascade reaction between 2-amino/hydroxy nitrobenzenes and activated methyl groups. This method represents a straightforward and highly atom economical approach to 2-hetaryl-benzimidazoles and -benzoxazoles.