Thiazole or 1,3-thiazole is a distinct heterocyclic compound which incorporates sulphur
and nitrogen atoms. It is a vital framework present in numerous pharmacologically
active compounds, be it of natural origin or of synthetic nature. Many thiazoles having
antitumor and antiviral activities, originate from microbes and marine organisms. A variety
of synthetic drugs, having thiazole group, like antimicrobial sulfathiazole, antibiotic
penicillin, antidepressant pramipexole, antineoplastic agent bleomycin, antiretroviral drug
ritonavir, histamine H 2 receptor antagonist nizatidine, anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam,
antifungal stilbene derivatives have been in the markets for quite some time. Hofmann and
Hantzsch laid the groundwork for further development in the field of thiazole chemistry.
The interaction of α-haloketones or α-halogenaldehyde and thioamide to obtain thiazoles
is beautifully described by Hantzsch. Various studies have reported methods for the
synthesis of the thiazoles; thioforamide, thiourea, α-thiocyanotoketones, and vinyl
bromide have been extensively employed to synthesize thiazoles. The thiazoles have
immense potential and this study tries to enlighten the crucial role of thiazoles for the
betterment of society. The review provides different directions in the synthesis of novel
thiazoles and also reveals diverse targets for augmentation in the field of designing of
novel thiazoles.