Copper catalyzed straightforward synthesis of 2-alkylbenzoxa(thia)azoles from aryl isocyanates/isothiocyanates and simple alkanes is reported. The protocol utilizes ditertiary butyl peroxide (DTBP) as a radical initiator and involves sequential formation of C–C and C–X (X = O, S) bonds followed by aromatization in a one-pot procedure.
