Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Two-Substituted Benzoxazoles in the Presence of Potassium Cyanide Under Mild Conditions

Abstract

Various two-substituted benzoxazoles were prepared using microwave-assisted reaction of 2-aminophenol with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of one equivalent of potassium cyanide as an equimolecular catalyst. Aldehydes having either electron-donating or withdrawing groups afforded the target products. The important features of this method were high yields, short reaction times and easy work up. The structure of synthesized products was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR).