A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of 3-Aryloxazolidin-2-ones from Isocyanates and Epoxides Promoted by MgI₂ Etherate

Abstract

We described a mild and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 3-aryloxazolidin-2-ones via the cycloaddition of isocyanates with epoxides in the presence of MgI₂ etherate (MgI₂ • (OEt₂)_n) in good yields.

Keywords:

• Epoxide
• isocyanate
• MgI₂ etherate
• oxazolidinone

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Y4100692) and Zhejiang Province Undergraduate Innovative Program.

Notes

^a The reaction was carried out by the addition of aryl isocyanate (5 mmol) to the mixture of epoxide (6 mmol) and MgX₂ etherate in refluxing THF.

^b Relative to aryl isocyanate.

^c Isolated yield by silica gel flash chromatography.

^d Not available.