Mechanistic exploration of the palladium-catalyzed process for the synthesis of benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles.

A convenient one-pot palladium-catalyzed cascade process for the preparation of both benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles has been developed. While these reactions proceed to give similar compounds the mechanisms governing the processes are different as are the experimental conditions employed.

A powerful palladium-catalyzed multicomponent process for the preparation of oxazolines and benzoxazoles.

Efficient and convenient three-component couplings of an aryl halide, isocyanide, and an amino alcohol under palladium catalysis provide a range of oxazolines and benzoxazoles in excellent yield.