The synthesis of a series of 2-thiazolines was carried out under mild condi
tions from the corresponding thiazolidines, by a Ru-catalyzed/TBHP oxidatio
n reaction conditions. The reaction was chemoselective towards the amine-im
ine oxidation and was also regioselective, affording the unsaturation at th
e 2-position of the heterocycle, even with thiazolidine substrates bearing
ester groups at the 4-position. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r
eserved.