Tandem Michael addition/intramolecular isocyanide [3+2] cycloaddition: highly diastereoselective one pot synthesis of fused oxazolines

A base-catalyzed tandem Michael addition/intramolecular isocyanide [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanoacetate and Michael acceptors with tethered carbonyl groups is described. This reaction leads to the formation of fused oxazolines in a highly diastereoselective manner under very mild conditions.