Palladium-Catalyzed Sequential Heteroarylation/Acylation Reactions of Iodobenzenes: Synthesis of Functionalized Benzo[ d]oxazoles.

We report an efficient palladium-catalyzed approach to the synthesis of benzoxazole derivatives via sequential heteroarylation/acylation reaction of iodobenzenes. Three readily available starting materials, iodobenzenes, anhydrides, and benzoxazoles, were smoothly coupled to form new C-C bonds at the ortho and ipso positions of the iodobenzenes to afford 2-heteroaryl-3-acylbenzene derivatives in good yields.