Potassium Carbonate → Methyl 5-oxazolecarboxylate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of glyoxylic acid ethyl ester (50% w/w in toluene) (4 mL, 2 mmol) and Tosmic (3.86 g, 2 mmol) in MeOH (60 mL) was added K2CO3 (5.6 g, 4 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at reflux for 7 h. The solvent was then evaporated and 100 mL of water was added. This solution was saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (MgSO4) filtered and concentrated to give 1.58 g (60%) of oxazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester as white solid. m.p.=35-50° C.

Provenance & Evidence