Sodium Carbonate → 5-Methyl-2-phenyloxazole

Participants

Reaction Steps

Heat a solution of N-(2-oxopropyl)benzamide (1.0 g, 5.65 mmol) in concentrated H2SO4 (10 mL) at 100° C. for 1 hour. Cool the reaction, pour over ice, neutralize with solid Na2CO3, and extract with ethyl acetate (200 mL). Wash the organic phase with brine (75 mL), dry (Na2SO4), filter, and concentrate to afford a yellow oil. Perform flash chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 100% ethyl acetate, to afford 790 mg (88% yield) of 5-methyl-2-phenyloxazole. MS: m/e=160 (MH+)

Provenance & Evidence