A highly efficient and rapid synthesis of 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles and 2-methyl-4-arylthiazole from alpha-bromoketone and thiourea/thioamide is described using room temperature ionic liquid at ambient conditions. The method is simple, rapid and practical, generating thiazole derivatives in excellent isolated yields. This protocol is utilized for a commercially feasible synthesis of an anti-inflammatory agent, Fanetizole. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.