cyclization of N-acetyl enamines and intermolecular cyclocondensation of enamines and nitriles was investigated. The reaction was performed under mild conditions and gave oxazoles and imidazoles, respectively, in moderate to excellent yields. This transformation exhibits good reactivity, selectivity and functional group tolerance. The selectivity of the intra- or intermolecular reaction is dependent on the
A reaction sequence involving halogenation and replacement of the halo substituent by a nitro group using dinitrogen tetraoxide has led to a general, convenient route to 5-nitrooxazoles. Reaction schemes employing both bromine and iodine as the halo substituent have been investigated; however, the method using iodine preceded by a mercuration step affords a better overall yield in the range of 20–50%