Convergent multicomponent assembly of 2-acyloxymethyl thiazoles

Diverse substituted 2-acyloxymethyl thiazoles can be assembled by a new multicomponent reaction (MCR) of methyl 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-isocyanoacrylate, aldehydes and thiocarboxylic acid under Lewis acid catalysis. The reaction is performed under mild conditions and is compatible with a wide range of functionalized starting materials. 13 examples are given. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.