A modular, one-pot, four-component synthesis of polysubstituted 1,3-oxazolidines.

A modular, one-pot, two-step, four-component synthesis of polysubstituted 1,3-oxzolidines is described. The method comprises two linked domino processes: an organocatalyzed domino reaction of alkyl propiolate and an aliphatic aldehydes and a microwave-assisted amine addition cyclization domino process. An alternative modular, one-pot, three-step, four-component synthesis has also been developed by linking the organocatalyzed domino process to a sequential amine addition/Yb(OTf)(3)-catalyzed enamine cyclization reaction.