Synthesis of 2-(Hetero)aryl-5-(trimethylsilylethynyl)oxazoles from (Hetero)arylacrylic Acids

Abstract

A three-step method for the synthesis of 2-(hetero)aryl-5-(trimethylsilylethynyl)oxazoles is described. Easily accessible bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene and acrylic acid derivatives are used as starting materials for the preparation of mono- and disubstituted 5-(trimethylsilyl)pent-1-en-4-yn-3-ones. Oxidative phthalimidoaziridination of these enynones provides the key 2-acyl-1-phthalimidoaziridines that are further utilized in the thermal expansion of the three-membered ring to furnish the target functionalizable oxazoles.