A library of thiazoles and selenothiazoles were synthesized via Ir-catalyzed ylide insertion chemistry. This process is a functional group, particularly heterocycle-substituent tolerant. This was applied to the synthesis of fanetizole, an anti-inflammatory drug, and a thiazole-containing drug fragment that binds to the peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth) in Neisseria gonorrheae bacteria.