Direct arylation of oxazoles at C2. A concise approach to consecutively linked oxazoles.

The synthesis of bis- and trisoxazoles via direct arylation is discussed. A variety of aryl groups can be installed at the 2-position of 5-aryl and 5-carboxy-substituted oxazoles under mild conditions using palladium catalysis on water. The direct arylation method can be extended to the synthesis of bis- and trisoxazoles if 2-triisopropylsilyl-4-iodooxazole is used as the electrophile in the arylation.