A direct synthesis of oxazoles from aldehydes.
An expedient method for the direct conversion of aldehydes to 2,4-disubstituted oxazoles is presented. The method relies on the oxidation of an oxazolidine formed from the condensation of serine with an aldehyde and proceeds through a 2,5-dihydrooxazole intermediate. In contrast to standard methods that start from carboxylic acids, the use of aldehydes as starting materials does not require intermediate purification and affords the oxazoles under relatively mild conditions.
Graham
Thomas H
TH
Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc., P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, New Jersey 07065-0900, USA. thomas.graham@merck.com
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D020650:Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry
D000447:Aldehydes; D010080:Oxazoles; C064210:oxazolidine