A new multi-component reaction (MCR) of oxo components, primary amines, thi
ocarboxylic acids and a special isocyanide yielding 2,4-disubstituted thiaz
oles is described. This one-pot, one-step reaction is an alternative to cur
rent methods of thiazole ring formation and can be applied to combinatorial
chemistry as well as in the total synthesis of thiazole containing natural
products.