A room-temperature synthesis of 2,2′-bisoxazoles through palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of α-isocyanoacetamides

Abstract

A palladium-catalyzed synthesis of symmetric and unsymmetric 2,2′-bisoxazoles starting from readily available α-isocyanoacetamides was developed. The reaction was performed at room temperature in air which acted as the sole oxidant of Pd⁽⁰⁾. Mechanistic studies suggested that double isocyanide insertion into the Pd^(II)–O bond was involved.