A General Method for the Preparation of 5-Trifluoromethylated Oxazoles from α-Amino Acids

Abstract

The reactions of N-acyl-N-benzyl-α-amino acids (1) or N-acylprolines (5) with trifluoroacetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine afford 5-trifluoromethyloxazoles (2 or 7) in good yields. The reaction could proceed through the transient formation of mesoionic 1, 3-oxazolium-5-olates, followed by oxazolium salts.