2,2'-Bithiazole

2,2'-Bithiazole is an organic compound with the formula (H2C3NS)2. The molecule consists of two thiazole rings linked by a C-C bond. Diverse isomers are possible depending on the carbon atoms that are coupled, but the 2,2' isomer is common. The compound was first prepared by Ullmann coupling of 2-bromothiazole using copper metal.

2,2'-Bithiazole is planar, according to X-ray crystallography.

Occurrence
2,2'-Bithiazole itself is mainly of academic interest, but substituted, isomeric bithiazoles have attracted attention in medicinal chemistry. Naturally occurring bithiazoles are derived from cysteine, as are most naturally-occurring thiazoles. Well-studied derivatives are the bleomycins, which feature 2,4'-bithiazole incorporated into glycopeptides. The cystothiazoles are another family of bithiazoles, but they feature 2,5-linkage. Luciferin contains a benzothiazole subunit linked to a thiazolidine (dihydrothiazole) via a 2,2' linkage.

2,2'-Bithiazole forms a variety of coordination complexes.