An efficient synthesis of 2-substituted benzoxazoles using cerium(III) chloride/sodium iodide as catalyst

An efficient and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzoxazoles is reported. The condensation of 2-aminophenol with an aldehyde gave an imine intermediate, which was cyclized and dehydrogenated to 2-substituted benzoxazole with good yield in the presence of CeCl3/NaI as catalyst. The one-pot synthesis was carried out in toluene at 100 degrees C using O-2 as the oxidant.