A novel strategy of cascade radical C(sp2/sp3)-S bond cleavage and group-transfer cyclization is disclosed. Triggered by alkyl radicals, varieties of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers containing aliphatic, aryl, and heteroaromatic groups can be cleaved and precisely reinstalled to give benzothiazole derivatives. Mechanistic studies reveal that the cascade reaction undertakes an intermolecular pathway, and the inner radical sources (R radicals) exhibit high priority over those of methyl radical origin from di-tert-butyl peroxide.