Formamide → 4,5-Diphenyloxazole

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of benzoin (2.65 g, 12.5 mmol), formamide (10 mL), xylene (40 mL) and conc. H2SO4 (1 mL) was refluxed for 14 h with a dean-stark trap attached to remove water. After cooling to room temperature, water was added to the mixture. The organic layer was separated, washed, dried (with MgSO4), and then distilled under reduced pressure to give 4,5-diphenyloxazole (1.93 g) as a yellow solid.

Provenance & Evidence