Synthesis of Oxazoles by Tandem Cycloisomerization/Allylic Alkylation of Propargyl Amides with Allylic Alcohols: Zn(OTf)2 as π Acid and σ Acid Catalyst.

A Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed tandem cycloisomerization/allylic alkylation of N-(propargyl)arylamides and allylic alcohols to produce oxazole derivatives has been successfully developed. The zinc catalyst served as π acid and also σ acid in this reaction. The target allylic oxazoles have been transformed into multisubstituted diene structures, which are potential aggregation-induced emission active optical materials.