Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of ynamides: synthesis of 4-halo-oxazolones.

A mild and efficient methodology involving Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of N-alkynyl alkyloxycarbamates with CuCl2 or CuBr2 for the synthesis of 4-halo-oxazolones was developed. This reaction exhibiting good functional tolerance provided a new, efficient, and rapid synthetic process to 4-halo-oxazolones. The resulting 4-halo-oxazolones can serve as great potential precursors for the 3,4,5-trisubstituted oxazolones via a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction.