Rhodium-catalyzed coupling-cyclization reaction of isocyanides and 2-azidophenyloxyacrylates: synthesis of N-(3-substituted benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amines and dihydrobenzo[d]oxazoles

A rhodium-catalyzed coupling cyclization of isocyanides with 2-azidophenyloxyacrylates has been developed for the first time. This reaction allows divergent syntheses of two significant N-heterocycles, five-membered N-(3-substituted benzo[d]oxazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amines and dihydrobenzo[d]oxazoles, from readily available starting materials in a single step.

Automated summary

A rhodium-catalyzed coupling cyclization has been developed for the first time with isocyanides and 2-azidophenyloxyacrylates. This reaction allows for the divergent syntheses of two significant N-heterocycles in a single step from readily available starting materials.