Benzothiazole, or more specifically 1,3-benzothiazole, is an aromatic heterocyclic compound with the chemical formula C7H5NS.

Although the parent compound, benzothiazole is not widely used, many of its derivatives are found in commercial products or in nature.

[4] The heterocyclic core of the molecule is readily substituted at the unique methyne centre in the thiazole ring.

It is a thermally stable electron-withdrawing moiety with numerous applications in dyes such as thioflavin.

[7] A benzothiazole derivative is suggested as a dye for arsenic detection.