Preparation of 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles from N-propargylamides

[GRAPHICS] 2,5-Disubstituted oxazoles have been prepared through the reaction of N-propargylamides with aryl iodides in the presence of Pd-2(dba)(3), tri(2-furyl)phosphine, and (NaOBu)-Bu-f. The reaction appears to proceed through a palladium-catalyzed coupling step followed by the in situ cyclization of the resultant coupling product.