FORMATION OF 2-ALKYLAMINOOXAZOLES BY THE RH-2(OAC)(4)-CATALYZED REACTION OF ALPHA-DIAZOCARBONYL COMPOUNDS IN THE PRESENCE OF CYANAMIDES

The Rh-2(OAc)(4)-catalyzed reaction of alpha-diazoacetophenones with N ,N-dialkylcyanamides gave the corresponding 2-(N,N-dialkylamino)-5-ary loxazoles in high yields. Although para-substituents of the diazoaceto phenone and the N-alkyl groups of cyanamide did not affect the yields of the oxazole, unsubstituted and monosubstituted cyanamides gave the corresponding 2-aminooxazoles in low yields. 2-(N,N-Dialkylamino)-5-al koxyoxazoles formed by the similar reaction of diazoacetates with N,N- dialkylcyanamides were found to be unstable upon isolation.